Researchers at the University of Otago in New Zealand have created the world's first brick-sized portable DNA sequencing machine.
DNA sequencing is an important tool for finding and diagnosing the flu, E.coli and other viruses, but these tabletop-sized machines have been facing the problem of not being readily portable, according to Gizmodo.
The machine, called Freedom4, can connect wirelessly to a smartphone and a laptop, and it comes with a six-hour battery life and the ability to process DNA samples in one step. It can find the presence and strength of different diseases, such as a norovirus infection, in less than an hour.
The research team said that Freedom4 has the potential to be used for other purposes, such as forensics and environmental monitoring, CNET reported.
"This mobility could provide a great boon for farmers," said Dr. Jo-Ann Stanton, leader of the project. "For instance, vets could drive around a farm analyzing samples from various locations, make their diagnoses and treat infected animals- all in one trip."
Freedom4 was shown in tests to perform as well as full-size laboratory DNA sequencing machines when identifying and measuring the quantity of different diseases, Gizmodo reported. Such diseases included E. coli and the H1N1 strain of swine flu, as well as other respiratory viruses.
Stranton said the device's abilities put it above other DNA sequencers used around the world, CNET reported.
"We are immensely proud that we have created this brilliant device; there is currently no other system in the world that compares in terms of the analytical power we have achieved at this level of mobility and ease of use," Stranton said.
Otago Innovation is currently collaborating with genome company Ubiquitome in order to make the device commercially available.
