A Cape Town scientist is working on developing a rapid, low-cost portable screening test that could transform the early detection of TB, cancer and Covid-19, reports News24.
Developed at UWC’s SensorLab, the highly sensitive electrochemical sensor can detect minute traces of disease markers at levels far below many existing tests, with the researchers saying the affordable device could be a lifesaver for clinics with limited resources, helping to reduce delayed diagnoses.
Dr Jaymi Leigh January and her fellow scientists say the rapid electrochemical sensor promises faster and more affordable screening of lung conditions, offering hope for earlier diagnosis.
The device can detect even hidden Covid-19 infections by identifying extremely small amounts of the virus’s spike protein in blood samples.
The sensor was able to pick up concentrations as low as 0.04 picograms per millilitre – a level far below the detection limits of many existing diagnostic tools. The presence of these proteins in the blood is a warning signal of these hidden infections.
In earlier research, January and her team used the sensor technology to detect certain cancers by measuring levels of a protein linked to the disease. The protein, called macrophage-capping protein or CapG, is over-produced in several cancers, especially breast, ovarian and gastric cancers. High levels of CapG in the body can signal the presence or progression of cancer.
The novel technology was also proven effective in detecting interferon gamma (IFN-γ), an important immune system marker that signalled active TB infection.
January, one of the newest graduates from the SensorLab, said the research was especially important for South Africa, which continues to face a heavy burden of both infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases, such as cancer and TB.
She said the country’s respiratory disease landscape was also hampered by delayed diagnosis, and unequal access to diagnostic services.
While the test is currently in the proof-of-concept stage, it lays a strong foundation for how future diagnostic technologies can be developed and implemented, she added.
“This type of research opens the door to new possibilities for delivering faster, more accessible, and more affordable diagnostic solutions tailored to local healthcare needs, particularly in a system marked by inequalities between urban and rural areas and between public and private healthcare.”
The device is portable, easy to use, highly sensitive, cost-effective, and is well-suited for deployment in primary healthcare clinics and community-based settings with limited infrastructure, she said.
Established in 2002, the SensorLab has grown into one of South Africa’s leading research centres, with more than 100 PhD graduates in December 2025. It focuses on developing smart, low-cost electrochemical sensors and biosensors using nanotechnology to diagnose diseases and monitor environmental pollutants in food and water.
The centre’s work is aimed at producing portable diagnostic tools that can deliver fast and reliable results at clinic level, reducing reliance on expensive and complex laboratory equipment and helping to improve healthcare access in underserved communities.
Researchers report that the device is stable, reliable, and highly reproducible, making it suitable for routine screening. It targets spike protein linked to persistent viral reservoirs, and could help identify patients at risk of long Covid-19 earlier than current methods allow.
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