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Development of Novel Paper-Based Assay for Direct Serum Separation
Mohammad Al-Tamimi1, Mariam El-Sallaq1, Shahed Altarawneh1
1Department of Microbiology, Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan.
ACS Omega
|June 19, 2023
Summary
A novel paper-based assay enables equipment-free, direct serum separation from blood in minutes. This innovation simplifies blood testing, paving the way for accessible point-of-care diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
- Point-of-Care Diagnostics
Background:
- Conventional laboratory tests necessitate serum separation via clot activator/gel tubes and centrifugation.
- This process requires specialized laboratory equipment and trained personnel.
- There is a need for simpler, equipment-free methods for direct serum separation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, equipment-free, paper-based assay for direct and efficient serum separation.
- To validate the purity, efficiency, recovery, reproducibility, and applicability of the developed assay.
- To enable simpler blood sampling for routine diagnostic tests.
Main Methods:
- Fresh blood was applied to wax-channeled filter paper treated with clotting activators.
- Optimization involved testing various coagulation activators, paper types, and incubation conditions.
- Serum separation was confirmed through visualization, microscopy, and absence of cellular components and hemolysis.
Main Results:
- Serum was successfully separated within 2 minutes using activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) reagent and calcium chloride-treated paper.
- The assay demonstrated high purity, efficiency, and reproducibility across multiple donors and over 15 days.
- Paper-separated serum was applicable for protein assays and hormone level measurements, comparable to standard methods.
Conclusions:
- Paper-based serum separation offers a viable alternative to conventional methods.
- This technology facilitates the development of sample-to-answer paper-based point-of-care tests.
- It enables simple and direct blood sampling for routine diagnostic applications.
