MANILA — A collaborative project between Filipino and Chinese researchers is set to complete a rapid diagnostic technology for autoimmune diseases by December, announced Renato Solidum Jr., Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). This innovation is expected to enhance the early detection and management of conditions such as arthritis and lupus.
According to Philippines News Agency, the new diagnostic tool will utilize only minimal blood samples, making it less invasive than traditional methods like biopsies which require tissue samples. “This would require blood samples as few as 1 ml. The result can be generated after a few days, which is also faster compared to processing biopsy results,” he explained during an interview with the Philippine News Agency.
The project, which began in July 2021 under the DOST-MOST (Ministry of Science and Technology of China) joint research program, has been equally funded by both nations, with each contributing approximately PHP16 million. The research is being conducted in collaboration with experts from Tsinghua University, led on the Philippine side by Dr. Jonel Saludes, a specialist in extracellular vesicle science.
The teams are employing peptide science and lipidomics to identify biomarkers of autoimmune diseases from patient blood samples. The DOST reported that the researchers have completed the design, fabrication, and testing phases of the microfluidic chip that will be utilized in the diagnostic tool.
Jaime Montoya, executive director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, emphasized the importance of this advancement, stating, “Early screening is critically important for timely intervention.” This project aims to provide a significant contribution to the field of minimally invasive diagnostics for autoimmune diseases, potentially transforming the approach to disease management and patient care.