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Scientists developed an affordable electro-fluidic device that aids in preliminary screening of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

News in Detail

Scientists at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) have created a new, affordable device that helps in early detection of sickle cell disease (SCD). This device is called an "electro-fluidic micropore device" and it measures the stiffness of red blood cells (RBCs) with high accuracy. By doing so, it can tell whether someone might have sickle cell disease or not.

Sickle Cell Disease

Serious blood disorder where red blood cells become stiff and take on a crescent shape instead of being round, which can block blood flow, causing pain, infections, and other health problems.

Early detection of the disease is crucial because it allows doctors to start treatment sooner, helping patients manage their symptoms better and avoid complications.

How does the device work?

The device works by measuring how stiff the red blood cells are. Normally, healthy red blood cells are soft and flexible, but in sickle cell disease, they become rigid.

The researchers designed the device to push these cells through tiny channels using electric fields. They then measure how long it takes for the cells to pass through. Stiff cells take longer than soft ones.

"Free-flight mode" and "constricted-flight mode"

To test the cells, the researchers used two methods: free-flight mode and constricted-flight mode.

In free-flight mode , the cells move freely through the device without any restrictions. This helps measure their size.
In constricted-flight mode , the cells are forced to squeeze through tight spaces. This reveals how stiff or flexible they are.

Using both modes together gives detailed information about the cells’ properties.

Significance

Affordability: It is much cheaper than existing technologies, making it accessible even in low-income regions.
Portability: The device is small and easy to carry around, which means it can be taken to remote villages for mass screening campaigns.
Speed: It provides quick results, allowing healthcare workers to identify potential cases of sickle cell disease almost immediately.
Versatility: While it’s primarily designed for sickle cell disease, the technology can also be used for other purposes, such as detecting tumor cells or studying veterinary blood disorders

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Source:

THE HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements about the Sickle Cell Disease:

It happens because of a problem with nerve cells.
This disease is genetic.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect:

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a blood disorder that people inherit from their parents. It happens because of a problem with hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen in your body. Normally, red blood cells are round and flexible, like tiny balloons. But in sickle cell disease, these cells become stiff and shaped like a "C" or a sickle (a farming tool).

Statement 2 is correct:

This disease is genetic, meaning it’s passed down from parents to their children through genes. If both parents carry the gene for SCD, their child might develop the disease. The abnormal hemoglobin changes the shape of the red blood cells, making them fragile and unable to last as long as normal cells.

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