Turning Tears into Sweets: CandyCollect for Pediatric Salivary Pathogen Sampling

Open microfluidic channels are gaining widespread use in biotechnology, biology, and diagnostics due to their broad applicability and user-friendly design, which enables easy addition or removal of components. Chapter 1 reviews capillary-driven open microfluidic systems and the implementation of open microfluidic channels in helping human specimen sampling. Chapter 2 introduces an improved open microfluidic system with enhanced capillary pumping capabilities. Chapter 3 describes the use of the CandyCollect device—a lollipop-inspired, open microfluidic tool for collecting salivary pathogens—in an initial human subject study. This remote, at-home study demonstrated the CandyCollect device's ability to effectively capture commensal salivary bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus, from healthy adults. Chapter 4 presents the first clinical data using CandyCollect devices to sample pediatric patients diagnosed with Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis. In summary, this dissertation spans from the foundational design principles of open microfluidic systems to their practical application in enhancing human pathogen sampling.

Author dc:creator

• Tu, Wan-chen

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Theberge, Ashleigh B.

• Analytical chemistry

Statement dc:rights

• CC BY-ND

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1773/53945

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.lib.washington.edu:1773/53945