Scientists Can Sequence DNA With a Smartphone

Scientists have created a smartphone-based microscope that could make cancer screening attainable to healthcare workers in the more than remote areas of the globe. The device is aimed at underdeveloped countries, where doctors don't e'er accept the tools or expertise to conduct DNA sequencing analysis and testing for genetic mutations. A lightweight optical attachment was adult by researchers at the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA, Sweden's Stockholm University, and Uppsala Academy.

The new gadget, which works with a standard smartphone camera, could exist mass produced for less than US$500 each.

"A typical microscope with multiple imaging modes would cost effectually U.s.$x,000," said Atomic number 82 Researcher Aydogan Ozcan, UCLA Professor of Electrical Engineering and Bioengineering. "Whereas higher-stop versions, such equally the one we used to validate our mobilephone microscope, would get for US$50,000 or more."

The research squad'due south cheap, 3D-printed alternative plugs into a smartphone to record multi-mode images at the same quality as a traditional light microscope. It then feeds data to an algorithm for automatic analysis. According to UCLA, the gadget tin can fifty-fifty discover minor amounts of cancer cells subconscious amidst a large grouping of normal ones.

"Ultra-depression-cost DNA sequencing and tumor biopsy analysis, in which morphology and mutation assay are combined, can essentially decrease diagnostic costs and make it more widely attainable," one of the study's commencement authors, Malte Kühnemund of SciLifeLab, said.

The prototype device uses a Nokia Lumia 1020 handset, with a 38MP camera featuring a 1/1.5in sensor; a long focal length of 6.86mm, plus the microscope's external lens provides a magnification factor of about 2.six times.

"Information technology's very important to accept these molecular testing approaches at a doctor's office or where care is beingness given," Mats Nilsson, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Stockholm and Uppsala Universities, said. "Oftentimes, advanced lab-based testing is performed at major hospitals, which is limiting, as not everyone has admission to a hospital that can perform these tests."