MalDiProT · Malaria diagnosis and prognosis with an electrokinetic-driven aptamer-based lateral flow assay.

Malaria diagnosis and prognosis with an electrokinetic-driven aptamer-based lateral flow assay.

Malaria remains one of the world’s most persistent infectious diseases, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths every year and placing nearly half of the global population at risk. Although the disease is most common in sub-Saharan Africa, Europe also faces increasing numbers of imported malaria cases due to international travel and migration. Early diagnosis and rapid identification of patients at risk of developing severe symptoms are crucial for reducing complications and saving lives. However, current diagnostic tools have significant limitations: the gold-standard method, microscopy, requires trained personnel and specialized laboratory equipment, while existing rapid diagnostic tests used outside the laboratory setting are primarily qualitative and fail to detect infections with low parasite levels or provide information on disease severity. As a result, many patients, especially travellers who lack natural immunity, are not identified early enough to prevent life-threatening complications. This project addresses these challenges by developing a new generation of portable, affordable, and highly sensitive diagnostic tools. The central objective is to create an electrokinetic-driven lateral flow device that combines the simplicity of traditional rapid tests with advanced molecular sensing technologies. Utilizing electrically controlled fluid flow and highly specific DNA aptamers (synthetic receptors that bind malaria biomarkers with high precision), the device aims to deliver rapid, quantitative measurements of both parasite-derived and host-derived indicators of severe malaria. Such a tool would allow healthcare workers to diagnose malaria earlier, detect low-parasitemia infections that are often missed today, and assess the risk of severe disease directly at the point of care. By integrating innovations in analytical chemistry, microfluidics, molecular biology, and clinical research, the project aims to provide a powerful solution adapted to both European and low-resource, malaria-endemic settings. The expected impact is significant: improving clinical decision-making, accelerating access to treatment, reducing healthcare costs linked to delayed diagnosis, and ultimately contributing to global efforts to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality. This approach aligns with international health priorities and supports the strategic goal of making advanced diagnostic technologies accessible to all.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз