Wallet-sized malaria test for developing world

Scientists in Washington are working on a wallet-sized malaria testing kit for use in the developing world.

It is hoped the disposable cards will be able to give an instant diagnosis for malaria and a number of other infectious disease.

Tests at the University of Washington found that in some cases, the cards gave a response within nine minutes.

The dehydrated cards contain reagents stabilised by a sugar solution. Reagents usually require refrigeration to retain their function.

However, the team from the University of Washington discovered that the sugar solution can extend the life-span of the reagents. This means that the cards can potentially be stored for months on end.

Paul Yager, bioengineering professor at the university, explained the importance of the development.

"A pivotal issue in having this technology work is making these tests storable for long periods of time at ambient temperatures," he said. "Normally people work with wet reagents. We're saying we can dry the reagents down in order to store them without refrigeration. It's the astronaut-food approach."

The research, which was published in the journal Lab on a Chip, has been funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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