RRI’s Affordable Screening Device: Raman Research Institute (RRI) has developed a cost-effective electro-fluidic device for preliminary screening of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
High-Resolution Stiffness Measurement: The device quantifies whole-cell stiffness with high resolution and throughput, differentiating SCD and healthy donor RBCs with high precision.
How it Works: The device measures cell volume and stiffness in free-flight and constricted-flight modes, correlating flight time with cellular stiffness.
Potential Impact: This technology could change diagnostic methods for blood disorders, offering a rapid way to detect mechanical abnormalities in RBCs. Its portability and cost-efficiency make it suitable for mass-screening in both rural and urban areas.
Beyond SCD: Whole cell stiffness measurements have applications in tumor cell detection and veterinary blood disorders. The device principle could also be applied to improve hydrogel materials for drug delivery systems.
SCD Basics: SCD is an inherited blood disorder affecting red blood cells (RBCs) due to flawed hemoglobin. Sickled RBCs block blood flow, causing pain, organ damage, anemia, and other complications.
Inheritance: SCD is caused by inheriting two sickle cell genes (one from each parent).
Symptoms: Include tiredness, swollen hands/feet, jaundice (early), severe pain, anemia, organ damage, and infections (later).
Treatments: Bone marrow transplant can cure SCD; other treatments relieve symptoms. Gene therapy has been approved in UK.
