Lateral flow test

A Lateral flow test (pronunciation: /ˈlatərəl floʊ tɛst/) is a simple device intended to detect the presence (or absence) of a target analyte in a liquid sample without the need for specialized and costly equipment.

Etymology

The term "lateral flow test" is derived from the process of the test itself. "Lateral" refers to the direction of the flow of the liquid sample, which moves across (or laterally) the test device. "Flow" refers to the movement of the liquid sample, and "test" refers to the method of determining the presence or absence of the target analyte.

Process

The process of a lateral flow test involves the application of the sample to the device. The sample then moves across the device, interacting with reagents and producing a visual signal, often in the form of lines, to indicate the presence or absence of the target analyte.

Types

There are two main types of lateral flow tests: sandwich assays and competitive assays. In a sandwich assay, the target analyte is captured between two reagents, one of which is typically immobilized on the test device and the other is in the liquid sample. In a competitive assay, the target analyte in the sample competes with a labeled analyte for binding to a reagent immobilized on the test device.

Applications

Lateral flow tests have a wide range of applications in different fields, including medical diagnostics, food safety testing, and environmental monitoring. In medical diagnostics, they are commonly used for the detection of certain diseases, such as malaria, HIV, and COVID-19.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Lateral flow test
Wikipedia's article - Lateral flow test

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Lateral flow test