MANILA: A rapid diagnostic technology for autoimmune diseases being developed by Filipino and Chinese researchers is expected to be completed by December, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said Wednesday.
“This diagnostic tool can be used to detect autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and lupus. Developing a diagnostic tool like this is crucial to prevent the diseases from progressing,” Solidum told the Philippine News Agency.
The tool, he said, is minimally invasive since it would only require blood samples, compared to biopsy that requires tissue samples.
“This would require blood samples as few as 1 ml. The result can be generated after a few days, which is also faster compared to processing biopsy results,” he said.
The DOST and China’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) jointly funded the project, each allocating around PHP16 million.
“Local and Chinese researchers from the Tsinghua University have been undergoing high level research for this project,”
Solidum said, adding that the Philippine team is led by Dr. Jonel Saludes, an expert on extracellular vesicle science.
The project under the DOST-MOST joint research program started in July 2021, with the goal of using peptide science in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases.
Through peptide science and lipidomics, the research teams will examine the biomarkers of autoimmune diseases from the blood samples of patients.
According to the DOST, the researchers were done with the design, fabrication, and testing of the microfluidic chip that will be used as a diagnostic tool.
In a statement, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development executive director Jaime Montoya said they hope to contribute to the advancement of minimally invasive diagnostic technology for autoimmune diseases through the project.
“Early screening is critically important for timely intervention,” Montoya said.
Source: Philippines News Agency