New genetic testing tool can find mutations with single drop of blood, researchers say

Rutgers University-New Brunswick engineers, in partnership with a Yale University team, have created a diagnostic tool with the ability to detect “rare genetic mutations from a single drop of blood,” according to a release.

The device was used to rapidly test for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. The developers say it can produce findings in 10 minutes and is similar to a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The tool “amplifies nucleic acid segments and detects mutations using a microchip.”

The researchers hope this tool can be used outside of the lab to broaden accessibility to genetic testing.