By Andi Anderson
Researchers at Purdue University have developed three new molecular diagnostic instruments designed to provide fast, accurate, and affordable testing across a wide range of applications.
The innovative devices can be used for human and animal health diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety testing, making advanced diagnostic technology more accessible in laboratories, farms, and field locations.
The instruments were developed by Mohit Verma, Associate Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue University, and his research team. Their goal was to create user-friendly testing systems that can deliver reliable results without requiring expensive laboratory equipment.
“Our goal is to create diagnostic tools that are accurate, affordable and easy to use wherever testing is needed,” Verma said. “By combining advanced molecular detection capabilities with simple, user-friendly designs, these instruments have the potential to bring more rapid testing directly to homes, farms, food production facilities and other field settings.”
The new devices build on a paper-based biosensor technology developed by the Verma Lab in 2021. The biosensor uses a process known as loop-mediated isothermal amplification to detect harmful microbes by identifying specific DNA or RNA targets. When a target is detected, the biosensor changes color, allowing users to determine whether a sample is positive or negative.
To improve reliability and remove the need for visual interpretation, the research team developed three new ThermiQuant™ instruments. Each device is designed for a specific testing environment.
The ThermiQuant MegaScan is built for high-throughput laboratory operations where large numbers of samples must be processed quickly. The ThermiQuant AquaStream is a portable benchtop instrument suitable for clinics, farms, and field applications. The ThermiQuant VitroMini is a compact solid-state version designed for portability and ease of use.
All three instruments maintain precise temperatures required for molecular testing and use custom-built Amplimetrics software to analyze results. The devices can track color changes over time, helping users obtain accurate and consistent results while also estimating the concentration of genetic targets in samples.
A key advantage of these systems is their ability to improve workflow and reduce complexity. The AquaStream can process both paper-based and tube-based tests in a single instrument, providing consistent results while reducing the need for multiple devices.
The VitroMini introduces a dual-sided heating system that helps maintain stable temperatures under challenging outdoor conditions ranging from 4 to 50 degrees Celsius. This improvement increases testing accuracy in both cold and hot environments.
The team continues to work toward developing a handheld version that can be used globally, especially in regions with limited access to laboratory testing. Bibek Raut, who recently completed his PhD in the Weldon School of Bioengineering, said the project was inspired by challenges he observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That got me curious about how we could solve this problem,” Raut said.
“I realized that I could use my engineering skills to develop broadly applicable technology, at much lower cost, not just in the U.S. but globally,” he said.
The research demonstrates how innovative engineering can make advanced molecular diagnostics more affordable, practical, and accessible. As these technologies continue to develop, they could play an important role in improving disease detection, food safety monitoring, and agricultural management around the world.
Photo Credit: purdue-university
Categories: Indiana, Education