Biomarkers of preterm birth detected by 3D printed device

Researchers have designed and developed a 3D printed microchip electrophoresis device, capable of detecting three biomarkers of preterm birth in blood sera. Preterm birth is defined as birth before the 37th week of gestation, with the World Health Organization reporting it affecting approximately 1 in 10 pregnancies across the globe. As the leading complication of pregnancy, there has long been a demand for simple, accurate and inexpensive ways for identifying women at risk and implementing prevention strategies. Previous methods for identifying mothers at risk have involved the identification of some peptide biomarkers in maternal sera have been laborious and not...