New chip identifies bird flu in humans

by Stevie Smith - Mar 25 2008, 15:37

With the ongoing spread of bird flu leading many commentators to claim that a global pandemic is just around the bend, European semiconductor specialist STMicroelectronics has announced a new technology capable of quickly detecting numerous forms of influenza, including the deadly strain of bird flu.

According to Geneva-based STMicroelectronics, its new VereFlu Chip device exists somewhat like a mini laboratory contained on a single chip, which is able to swiftly screen and identify a host of pathogen and gene classes contained in a disposable diagnostic test.

Unlike similar tests presently utilised in the medical field, which identify single strains over the course of days and weeks, STMicroelectronics’ breakthrough device is able to reveal a wide selection of strains from a test in as little as two hours, reports the Reuters news agency.

The chip is reportedly able to screen for human strains of Influenza A and Influenza B, along with various strains considered to be either drug resistant or variant mutations, including the likes of Avian Flu and its much reported and deadly H5N1 strain, which has so-far claimed some 236 human fatalities.

The VereFlu Chip has been created by STMicroelectronics in conjunction with Singapore-based Veredus Laboratories and has been rigorously tested in 2007 through usage trials carried out at the National University Hospital in Singapore.

According to Rosemary Tan, CEO of Veredus Laboratories, initial hospital and non-hospital orders of the VereFlu Chip device have been “very promising” thus far, with other notable areas where the technology could be incorporated including the likes of airport and border security checkpoints.

STMicroelectronics and Veredus are also working with the VereFlu Chip technology to develop other related advances with which the medical community could forge forward in the identification of various other diseases.

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