New Rapid Test Helps Diagnose Malaria

The WHO reports an estimated 429,000 malaria deaths each year. The disease mostly affects tropical and sub-tropical regions and in particular the African continent. The Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC teamed up with the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME and the Institute of Tropical Medicine at the University of Tubingen to develop a new test method to detect malaria parasites in blood. The idea of the research project, NanoFRET, is to develop a highly sensitive and reliable rapid diagnostic test so that patient treatment can begin as early as possible.