This Smartphone Attachment Offers DNA-Scanning Capabilities
Rahul Kalvapalle — May 5, 2015 — Lifestyle
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles have constructed an inexpensive smartphone attachment that turns phones into precise, high-quality microscopes.
The attachment may be small but manages to pack an external lens, a thin-film filter and a laser diode all inside a small 3D-printed case, to make for a precise miniature fluorescent microscope. A software program on the smartphone scans the DNA before transmitting data to a remote server. The server then measures the length of the DNA strands and sends back results in less than 10 seconds. The device has been proven to be accurate with DNA strands consisting of 10,000 base pairs or more.
This device could have huge implications for the hospital industry, as it would make it possible to isolate DNA strands and analyze them for diagnostic purposes -- without having to rely on expensive and bulky equipment.
The attachment may be small but manages to pack an external lens, a thin-film filter and a laser diode all inside a small 3D-printed case, to make for a precise miniature fluorescent microscope. A software program on the smartphone scans the DNA before transmitting data to a remote server. The server then measures the length of the DNA strands and sends back results in less than 10 seconds. The device has been proven to be accurate with DNA strands consisting of 10,000 base pairs or more.
This device could have huge implications for the hospital industry, as it would make it possible to isolate DNA strands and analyze them for diagnostic purposes -- without having to rely on expensive and bulky equipment.
Trend Themes
1. Smartphone Microscope Attachments - Inexpensive smartphone attachments that work as high-quality microscopes could revolutionize diagnostic testing, healthcare, and research.
2. Miniature Fluorescent Microscopes - Miniature fluorescent microscopes could help researchers and medical professionals perform more advanced diagnostic tests in remote areas or emergency situations.
3. Mobile DNA Analysis - Mobile DNA analysis using smartphone microscope attachments could potentially streamline and simplify diagnostic testing, criminal investigations, and research.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - Mobile DNA analysis could make diagnostic testing in remote locations accessible to more patients, and also make the detection of diseases and illnesses quicker.
2. Research - Miniature fluorescent microscopes could make real-time monitoring of cell behavior possible without the need for bulky equipment, allowing researchers to collect more precise data.
3. Forensics - The ability to collect and analyze DNA samples on location could help law enforcement officers solve crimes more quickly and thoroughly, which could lead to a significant reduction in crime rates.
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