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Lab-in-a-cartridge for real-time detection of tuberculosis via precise measurement of urinary lipoarabinomannan

Author

Listed:
  • Woong Heo

    (Seodaemun-gu, School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro)

  • Qingyang Wang

    (Seodaemun-gu, School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro)

  • Seoyeon Choi

    (Seodaemun-gu, School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro
    50 Yonsei-ro, The DABOM Inc.)

  • Joonchul Shin

    (Seodaemun-gu, School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro
    Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), Advanced Bio and Healthcare Materials Research Division)

  • Seong Jun Park

    (50 Yonsei-ro, The DABOM Inc.
    Department of Internal Medicine Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital)

  • Sunyoung Park

    (Seodaemun-gu, School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro
    50 Yonsei-ro, The DABOM Inc.
    Kangwon National University, Department of Biomedical Technology)

  • Dong-Uk Kim

    (Seodaemun-gu, School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro)

  • Jungho Kim

    (Catholic University of Pusan, Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences)

  • Young Ae Kang

    (Yonsei University College of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine
    Yonsei University College of Medicine, Institute for Immunology and Immunological Disease)

  • Hyo-Il Jung

    (Seodaemun-gu, School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro
    50 Yonsei-ro, The DABOM Inc.
    50 Yonsei-ro, Department of Integrated Medicine, Yonsei University)

Abstract

Current methods for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) in centralized medical facilities are a bottleneck in TB surveillance, particularly in resource-constrained regions. In response, we present a groundbreaking portable bio-tool, the lab-in-a-cartridge (LIC) system, designed for on-site detection of lipoarabinomannan (LAM) in trace amounts within the urine. The innovative design combines pumpless liquid handling and magnetic force-based enrichment with horseradish peroxidase polymer amplification to precisely quantify low biomarker levels. Employing a tetramethylbenzidine-based colorimetric reaction, the LIC enables semi-quantitative LAM detection. This LIC incorporates all necessary reagents, achieving a detection threshold of as low as 0.01 pg/mL in pooled urine samples within 40 minutes. The LIC distinguishes TB patients in clinical urine samples with 92% sensitivity and 88% specificity. This pioneering device not only sets an improved standard for detecting low LAM concentrations but also holds the potential to realize a decentralized diagnosis of TB.

Suggested Citation

  • Woong Heo & Qingyang Wang & Seoyeon Choi & Joonchul Shin & Seong Jun Park & Sunyoung Park & Dong-Uk Kim & Jungho Kim & Young Ae Kang & Hyo-Il Jung, 2025. "Lab-in-a-cartridge for real-time detection of tuberculosis via precise measurement of urinary lipoarabinomannan," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-65217-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65217-w
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