The Engineer

VTT researchers develop paper-based haemoglobin test

News

Worked in conjunction with researchers at Aalto University, Åbo Akademi University and the University of Lapland, scientists at the VTT Technical Research Centre in Finland led by Tomi Erho have created a test for haemoglobin by printing antibodies on paper.

The test produces a line on the paper that appears depending on whether haemoglobin is present in a sample placed on it.

The researchers say that the printed paper test could also be adapted to different purposes by exchanging the antibody printed on the paper for another.

The technology could be applied to produce a rapid diagnostics tests in the healthcare market, or to bring additional features to packaging or labelling. The technology also presents new possibilities for ensuring product authenticity.

The bioactive paper research has been funded by Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, with support from commercial partners UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Tervakoski, BASF, Orion Diagnostica, Hansaprint, Oy Medix Biochemica, Starcke Securities and Eagle Filter.

Haemoglobin test on paper. The paper on the left - with one bar - indicates that the sample does not contain detectable amounts of haemoglobin. The image on the right, with two bars, means the sample does contain a detectable amount of haemoglobin
Haemoglobin test on paper. The paper on the left - with one bar - indicates that the sample does not contain detectable amounts of haemoglobin. The image on the right, with two bars, means the sample does contain a detectable amount of haemoglobin