Research Projects

Dengue is the most reported mosquito-borne viral infection globally, affecting around 400 million individuals annually. The virus is transmitted through the bite of Aedes mosquitos and is most susceptible to people living in crowded urban and suburban areas. Globalization, climate change, rising temperatures, and vector suitability contribute to the endemicity of dengue. Detection methods for the virus include nucleic acid, antibody, or antigen detection, but these are time-consuming and require skilled technicians. A lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) is being developed to detect the NS1 protein of the dengue virus, a non-structural protein secreted during the initial period of infection. The LFA will be developed in separate setups and evaluated for sensitivity and specificity. The study aims to develop a lateral flow-based assay for detecting the NS1 protein in acute febrile illness cases.