Tool could rapidly detect food allergies from a drop of blood

Researchers at the University of Valencia’s Institute of Materials Science are developing a system based on photonic biosensors for the rapid diagnosis of food allergies.

Conducted in consortium with other European companies and institutions, the EU-funded POSITIVE project aims to make a low-cost instrument that performs effective allergy tests, potentially for hundreds of foods simultaneously and without risk to patients.

The new instrument — expected to perform an analysis on a single drop of blood in 15 minutes — is likely to benefit the estimated 15 million people in Europe who suffer from food allergies, a condition that can reduce quality of life and sometimes lead to death.

‘Currently, the most common allergy tests are expensive… and especially traumatic for children, as well as pose a risk of adverse reactions,’ said Daniel Hill, co-ordinator of the project and researcher at the University of Valencia. ‘Beyond the project, the idea is to be able to put a food allergy diagnostic instrument that is fast, effective and safe in the surgery of every paediatrician, so that they can test during the first few years of life.

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