The University of Canberra (UC) has been awarded $1 million in Commonwealth funding to explore a new generation of non-intrusive blood tests.
The University has formed a partnership with MyHealthTest Pty Ltd in a three-year project aimed at helping people to manage their health more effectively and conveniently through dried blood spot testing.
Researchers at UC said the test involves an at-home finger prick blood test, for which the sample is mailed to a pathology laboratory for testing and the results are delivered online, allowing people to absorb the outcome at a pace that suits them.
They said they are developing tests to detect and monitor vitamin deficiencies and hormone imbalances, which will complement MyHealthTest’s existing test services for diabetes.
UC said the company will also soon bring tests for prostate, thyroid and cholesterol to market.
UC researchers Simon Foster, Tamsin Kelly and Ashraf Ghanem are focusing on applications of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to high-volume commercial pathology testing services.
Dr Foster said the techniques were expected to broaden the range of tests available to consumers.
“For people who may need regular blood tests, and especially people who live away from their nearest pathology lab, being able to post away a blood sample that they take in their own home is a game-changer,” Dr Foster said.
“Liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry are both very common analysis methods in chemistry.”
He said using them side-by-side enhances the range of information and results that scientists can draw from a single, small sample.
