Lateral Flow Assay
Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) is a paper-based diagnostic tool used for rapid detection of analytes like pathogens, hormones, or drugs in biological samples. It works by capillary action, where a sample migrates along a strip containing reagents that produce a visible signal (e.g., colored lines) to indicate the presence or absence of a target substance. Commonly known as rapid tests or strip tests, LFAs are widely used in healthcare, food safety, and environmental monitoring due to their simplicity and quick results.
Developers should learn about Lateral Flow Assay when working on point-of-care diagnostics, medical devices, or biotechnology applications that require fast, low-cost testing solutions. It's particularly useful for creating user-friendly tools in resource-limited settings, such as home pregnancy tests or COVID-19 antigen tests, where immediate results are critical. Understanding LFA principles helps in integrating these assays with digital platforms for data analysis or IoT devices in health tech projects.