Professor Hong Ma along with other colleagues from the UBC campus has designed an accurate and simple microfluidic device for the testing of Malaria. The new device consists of two layers that
control the cells so that only a single cell is introduced into a funnel containing a series of different sized constrictions. The pressure required to push the cell through a constriction is measured precisely and used to calculate the deformability.The team used their device to show that the deformability of uninfected red blood cells can be distinguished from cells at various stages of infection. Measuring the deformability of an infected red blood cell can provide vital information about the disease’s mechanism and response to treatment
‘We hope our technique will provide a useful biomechanical assay for the development of new drugs,’ says Professor Ma, who adds that ‘the ability to easily measure the deformability of red blood cells will help researchers study the mechanism of the disease and investigate complex challenges, such as drug resistance.’
Professor Ma’s team plans to further test their device and use it to study the mechanisms of drug resistance.
Congratulations Professor Ma on this major accomplishment.