’Origami’ diagnostic test could help hepatitis C treatment

A new test for hepatitis C which uses origami-style folded paper to deliver fast, accurate and affordable diagnoses could help the global fight against the deadly virus. The test, developed by biomedical engineers and virologists from the University of Glasgow, delivers lateral-flow results similar to a COVID-19 home test in around 30 minutes. In a new paper published today , the research team describe how they developed the system. It builds on previous breakthroughs in rapid diagnostics and virology at the University, delivering results with 98% accuracy. Hepatitis C, a bloodborne virus which damages the liver, is estimated to affect more 70 million people around the world. The virus' effects on the liver are slow, and patients may not realise they are infected until they become severely ill with complications such as cirrhosis or cancer. If the infection is detected before it advances significantly, it can be treated effectively with low-cost, readily available medication.