Point-of-Care Microfluidic Platform for Rapid Influenza Detection

Influenza viruses spread through human-to-human transmission and pose a major threat to public health. A rapid bio-sensing diagnostic kit could help to effectively control such a widespread infection. This project is developing a novel point-of-care immunodiagnostic device on a miniature microfluidic platform. This device will capture influenza-caring respiratory tract dendritic cells on an affinity substrate to quickly and accurately detect H1N1 virus. Developing the microfluidic system will require optimization of the affinity substrate and scheme for detecting antigens. This system will be field-deployable and the information can be incorporated into the California tele-health network to effectively manage future pandemic infections.