2007 Health Award Laureate
Diagnostics Development Unit, University of Cambridge & Diagnostics for the Real World Ltd.
| Laureate Country: Cambridge, U.K. |
| Project Countries: Australia, China, Ivory Coast, Myanmar, Philippines, Republic of Guinea, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, U.K. |
| Video: 2007Videos/diagnostics_dev_unit.mov |
The Diagnostics Development Unit, together with Diagnostics for the Real World, invented technology to test for infectious diseases quickly and accurately.
In developing countries, infectious diseases go undetected because existing tests are slow, expensive, and require specialized facilities and skilled technicians. As a result, millions suffer debilitating, preventable diseases.
The two teams invented and developed the signal amplification system into a line of dipstick-style tests that are quick and easy to use and rugged enough to endure heat and high humidity. The tests are also extremely accurate at detecting serious and highly contagious diseases such as Chlamydia, hepatitis B, and Trachoma. They have helped prevent blindness among whole villages of children, reduced infertility in women, and protected people from infected blood transfusions.
