Fluorescent Sensor Provides Low-Cost Diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis

Scientists have developed a new diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder currently affecting around 30,000 Americans. The new device provides a cheaper, easier way to detect levels of chloride in sweat, which are elevated in cystic fibrosis patients. A similar strategy could be applied to other diseases that present with elevated levels of different ions, such as bromide and iodide, and the simplicity of the approach could make diagnostic tests more accessible around the world.