Engineering paper networks for point-of-care diagnostic applications in low-resource
settings
Elain Fu, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor, Oregon State University
October 10th, 2013 6 pm (Meet and greet with food at 5:30 pm)
Blum Hall B100
High-sensitivity point-of-care diagnostic assays that are rapid, easy to use, and low cost are
needed for use in low-resource settings. The conventional lateral flow test is the standard
bioassay format for point-of-care applications in these settings due to its rapid time to result, ease
of use, and low cost. However, for many analytes, conventional lateral flow tests lack the
sensitivity to have clinical utility. Conventional microfluidics has made gains in converting highsensitivity,
“gold-standard,” laboratory-based tests to a format that is useful in some point-ofcare
settings. However, the complexity and cost of conventional microfluidics-based systems
remain too high for these systems to be widely used in low-resource settings. The rapidly
growing field of “paper” microfluidics has the potential to bridge this gap. In particular, paper
networks are being developed that can automatically perform multi-step sample processing for
high-sensitivity detection in a format that is appropriate for use in low-resource settings. Key to
the successful operation of these networks is the development of a “paper fluidics toolbox” for
controlling flow and metering multiple small volumes of fluids within devices. My talk will
highlight recent progress and future challenges in this area.
_________________________________________
Elain Fu received a Sc.B. degree in Physics from Brown University and a Ph.D. degree in
Physics from the University of Maryland, College Park. From 2010 to 2013, she was a Research
Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Washington. She is
currently a Research Assistant Professor in the School of Chemical, Biological, and
Environmental Engineering at Oregon State University.
settings
Elain Fu, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor, Oregon State University
October 10th, 2013 6 pm (Meet and greet with food at 5:30 pm)
Blum Hall B100
High-sensitivity point-of-care diagnostic assays that are rapid, easy to use, and low cost are
needed for use in low-resource settings. The conventional lateral flow test is the standard
bioassay format for point-of-care applications in these settings due to its rapid time to result, ease
of use, and low cost. However, for many analytes, conventional lateral flow tests lack the
sensitivity to have clinical utility. Conventional microfluidics has made gains in converting highsensitivity,
“gold-standard,” laboratory-based tests to a format that is useful in some point-ofcare
settings. However, the complexity and cost of conventional microfluidics-based systems
remain too high for these systems to be widely used in low-resource settings. The rapidly
growing field of “paper” microfluidics has the potential to bridge this gap. In particular, paper
networks are being developed that can automatically perform multi-step sample processing for
high-sensitivity detection in a format that is appropriate for use in low-resource settings. Key to
the successful operation of these networks is the development of a “paper fluidics toolbox” for
controlling flow and metering multiple small volumes of fluids within devices. My talk will
highlight recent progress and future challenges in this area.
_________________________________________
Elain Fu received a Sc.B. degree in Physics from Brown University and a Ph.D. degree in
Physics from the University of Maryland, College Park. From 2010 to 2013, she was a Research
Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Washington. She is
currently a Research Assistant Professor in the School of Chemical, Biological, and
Environmental Engineering at Oregon State University.