Paul Yager Research Group

University of Washington

Can low-cost, instrument-free paper-based microfluidic devices provide sensitive, sample-to-result diagnostics at the point of care? The lab develops two-dimensional paper networks (2DPNs) to create high-sensitivity paper protein-binding assays for pathogens and instrument-free nucleic acid amplification tests. Researchers combine materials science, immunoassay chemistry, microfluidics, and cell-phone imaging to detect viral and bacterial targets without laboratory infrastructure. The group designs disposable or low-cost device components and integrated sample-to-result workflows suitable for low-resource settings. They validate methods via analytical studies and publications on lateral flow, fluorescence imaging, and sample lysis compatible with point-of-care deployment.