Dr. Yi Lu has developed a point-of-contact device for the portable and affordable detection of molecules important in physiology and disease. This technology, based on highly specific nucleotide molecules known as DNAzymes, can detect physiological levels of metal ions such as sodium and lithium, which play an important role in bipolar disease. A modification of this technology, based on DNA molecules known as aptamers, can be adapted to detect the food adulterant melamine, which has resulted in death of thousands of infants and pets. Detection of these molecules can be performed at home with the commercially available glucose meters.
