No laboratories: Infections can now be diagnosed in minutes thanks to advances in technology.

The thought of attending the doctors with symptoms of a disease and leaving a scientifically validated treatment is much closer to reality, given the new technology being developed by McMaster University researchers.

Their evidence-of-concept research presented in Nature Chemistry reveals the efficiency of the test in identifying urinary tract infections from actual clinical samples. The scientists adopt the test for the detection and speedy identification of different kinds of bacteria, including COVID 19. Additionally, they intend to evaluate its potential for detecting cancer indicators.

"This will benefit patients by allowing for more effective therapy, faster outcomes, and the avoidance of severe consequences. It can also prevent unnecessary usage of antibiotics, which can enable us to time to fight antimicrobial resistance, "Leyla Soleymani, co-author of the work and associate professor, explains.

"This will allow doctors to promote science on the basis of their own talents and expertise,' says Yingfu Li, a biochemical and biomedical sciences professor.

The new DNA-based method employs a portable gadget resembling a blood-glucose monitor. A microchip scans a droplet of body fluids such as blood, urine, or saliva with molecules that recognize an infection's particular protein signature... The device, approximately the size of a USB drive, connects to a smartphone which shows the outcome.

The invention combines the technology for electrical engineering, which Soleymani has developed with the team for biochemical technology, which Li and his colleague Dingran Chang have been developing. They have been working with infectious disease specialist Marek, a professor of medicine who gave samples from genuine patients.

"As scientists, we want to make things possible," Li explains, "we are experts in various scientific and engineering principles, and it is a great sensation when you combine them together to serve people. The possibility to have an impact on society is why we are all doing this work."

"This technology is really adaptable," adds Li, who is also a member of McMaster's Institute for Infectious Disease Research.

The researchers are looking into governmental permissions and commercial partnerships to get the technology into widespread usage as soon as feasible, not only in Canada but around the world, particularly in areas where access to lab testing is inadequate or non-existent.