UC Irvine

Rapid Diagnostic tests (RDTs) products for malaria available on market today are all blood-based. Massive research have been done to find a cheap and convenient method to diagnose malaria using saliva samples. In this project, an innovative approach by converting electrochemical impedance change to voltage difference variation was demonstrated. Through the functionalization of Au electrode surface with pLDH aptamers and construction of Wheatstone bridge using interdigitated electrodes, a significant voltage difference was measured which showed potential for not only qualitative but also for quantitative detection of malaria utilizing saliva specimen. An electrical circuit prototype was also assembled demonstrating the feasibility of making a portable device for measurement.