rapid test for pathogens tagged posts

Production of ImmuStick: Application of immune receptors onto the test strip. Credit: © Photo Fraunhofer IGB

At present, bacteria, fungi or viruses can generally only be detected with certainty by way of elaborate lab tests or animal experiments. The food and pharmaceutical industries would like to have faster tests to check their products. Fraunhofer researchers are therefore developing a stick that works like a pregnancy test and quickly delivers a result. In the future, it is also to be used for detecting allergens and disease pathogens in the blood.

“The ImmuStick can even detect pathogens outside the body – on medical devices or in hospital rooms for example. However, the technology would certainly also be of interest for testing human blood for germs or allergies,” says Dr...