Australian scientists say they have developed a non-invasive strip that checks glucose levels via saliva, meant for blood sugar testing for diabetics. Diabetics managing their blood sugar levels usually have to prick their fingers multiple times a day and then placing a drop of blood on a testing strip, however, this latest test works by inserting an enzyme that detects glucose into a transistor that can then transmit the presence of glucose.

For diabetics across the world, managing blood sugar levels usually means pricking their fingers multiple times a day with a lancet and then placing a drop of blood on a testing strip; some avoid the painful process by minimizing their tests.
Paul Dastoor, a Professor of Physics at the University of Newcastle in Australia, who led the team that created the new testing strip, says since the electronic materials in the transistor are inks, the test can be made through printing at a low cost.

 “[This test] really does open up the prospect of pain-free, low-cost glucose testing and hopefully much better outcomes for diabetes sufferers,” he said.
The project has secured $4.7 million in funding from the Australian government to establish a facility to produce the test kits should clinical trials be passed.

Dastoor says the technology could also be transferred to COVID-19 testing and allergen, hormone and cancer testing. The university is said to be already working with Harvard University on a test for COVID-19 using the same technology.