Team:Amplino/Solution

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Solution

Amplino develops a low cost, easy to use, screening device for malaria detection in blood of pregnant women, aiming to lower the death toll caused by malaria. In the western world, real time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) is used as a highly specific technique to screen for pathogens. Developed in the 1970’s, it is a technique aimed at identifying very specific kinds of DNA in samples, for instance malaria DNA in blood. It is hardly used in developing countries as it requires educated lab personnel and a typical rtPCR device costs $25000. Amplino takes the conventional device, strips it to its simplest rudimentary form and develops a rtPCR device for $250, at $2 per test, it will reliably test for malaria in blood drops, is solar powered, sturdy and easy to use.