Holographic Imaging Based Method | 15 Oct 2020
Why in News
Scientists from New York University have developed a method using holographic imaging to detect both viruses and antibodies.
- Holography is a process that creates three-dimensional images called holograms using laser beams, the properties of interference and diffraction, light intensity recording, and illumination of the recording.
Key Points
- About the Method:
- It uses laser beams to record holograms of the specially prepared test beads.
- The surfaces of the beads are activated with biochemical binding sites that attract either antibodies or virus particles, depending on the intended test.
- Binding antibodies or viruses causes the beads to grow by a few billionth parts of a metre.
- Researchers detect this growth through changes in the beads’ holograms. The test can analyse a dozen beads per second.
- Significance:
- The method can test either for the virus (current infection) or antibodies (immunity).
- The breakthrough has the potential to aid in medical diagnoses, and specifically, those related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
- If fully realised, this proposed test could be done in under 30 minutes, is highly accurate, and can be performed by minimally trained personnel.