Fraunhofer develops rapid in situ test that identifies pathogens in food and pharma

摘要

Currently, bacteria, fungi or viruses generally can only be detected with certainty by way of elaborate laboratory tests or animal experiments, but the food and pharma industries would like to have faster tests to check their products. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, in Stuttgart, are developing a test stick, similar to a pregnancy test stick, that quickly delivers a result. The test that will rapidly and cost-effectively identify bacteria, fungi or viruses can be carried out directly in situ without laboratory equipment and specialist knowledge. The ImmuStick can even detect pathogens outside the body - on medical devices or in hospital rooms for example.