Imperial scientists create USB device for HIV test

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Scientists at Imperial College London and spinout company DNA Electronics have developed a HIV test that uses a drop of blood on an adapted USB stick to test for the virus.

A small volume of blood is placed on a spot on the USB stick, which contains a mobile phone chip. If HIV is detected, this triggers a change in acidity, which the chip then transforms into an electrical signal. The signal is sent via the USB stick to a computer, which displays the results through a custom program. It is hoped the test could be used by HIV patients to monitor their own treatment, in the same way that many diabetics do.

Current tests for HIV involve sending blood samples to a lab and can take up to three days, according to the researchers. The new device not only tests for the presence of the virus, but can also help patients monitor their viral levels, and can indicate whether anti-retroviral treatment is effective.

"HIV treatment has dramatically improved over the last 20 years - to the point that many diagnosed with the infection now have a normal life expectancy,” said Dr Graham Cooke from Imperial's Department of Medicine, senior author of the research.

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