The expanding role of paper in point-of-care diagnostics

Abstract

This editorial discusses the expanding role of paper as a platform on which to build new point-of-care assays, particularly those intended for use in resource-limited settings. Successful diagnostics for use in these environments require a low-cost platform (possibly paper) as well as new assay strategies, reagents and materials for achieving selectivity and sensitivity. Paper provides a common platform for bringing these components together and serves as a low-cost medium for prototyping new point-of-care assays.

Keywords::

• bioactive paper
• diagnostics
• paper diagnostics
• paper microfluidics
• point-of-care diagnostics

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors’ work in this area was supported by NSF (CHE-1150969), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (subcontract No. 01-270716-00), the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and Louis Martarano. The authors have filed the following patent application: US Provisional Patent application No. 61/838,097, ‘Qualitative and Quantitative Point-of-Care Assays’. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.