FORTIFIEDx has been featured in Insight Media in an in-depth article exploring the project’s approach to developing a new generation of point-of-care diagnostics. The article highlights how the project combines sampling, fluid handling, biochemical analysis, and result generation in a single disposable patch, aiming to deliver a true sample-to-result test without the need for conventional laboratory infrastructure.
The feature highlights the complementary technologies being brought together across the consortium. Tyndall National Institute is developing minimally invasive microneedles for collecting interstitial fluid, while the KU Leuven Lammertyn Lab contributes the (i)SIMPLE microfluidic platform, enabling precise, self-powered fluid handling without external pumps or electricity. With the expertise of the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp, the project focuses on making infectious disease diagnostics more accessible.
For HIV and syphilis, the patch incorporates lateral flow assays, with an aditional syphilis test designed to distinguish active infection from previous exposure. For viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola and Lassa, the project is exploring isothermal amplification, which avoids the complex temperature cycling required for conventional PCR and is therefore better suited to a portable diagnostic device.
The article also discusses the project’s focus on accessibility and real-world deployment. By automating sample metering, fluid processing and analysis, FORTIFIEDx aims to reduce manual handling and the need for specialized equipment or trained personnel, supporting diagnostic testing in underserved and remote settings.
You can read the full article in Insight Media here: https://insightm.co.uk/article/fortifiedx-bringing-true-sample-to-result-diagnostics-to-the-point-of-care