Daily Mail: Hope for in-home coronavirus test

UC's Amy Drexelius designed a device that uses saliva to diagnose viruses

The Daily Mail (UK) examined the latest efforts by the University of CIncinnati to develop an in-home test for viruses such as influenza and coronavirus.

UC College of Engineering and Applied Science student Amy Drexelius designed a device that can concentrate a sample of saliva to diagnose viruses.

Her research was published in the journal Biomicrofluidics.

"In the absence of a vaccine, fast, cheap and accurate at-home coronavirus tests that people could take daily could speed the reopening of society," the Daily Mail wrote.

"Coronavirus has put a big spotlight on point-of-care diagnostics," Drexelius said. "We're trying to make preconcentration of the sample quicker and easier so testing is possible outside a lab."

Read the full story.

Featured image at top: Amy Drexelius in UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science designed and tested a device that can concentrate a sample of saliva to diagnose viruses such as influenza or coronavirus. Photo/Joseph Fuqua II/UC Creative + Brand

Assistant Vice president Jason Heikenfeld, PhD shown here in his office and labs at Rhodes Hall. UC/Joseph Fuqua II

UC College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate student Amy Drexelius, here pictured last year before the global pandemic, designed a device that can concentrate a sample of saliva to test for viruses such as influenza or coronavirus. Photo/Joseph Fuqua II/UC Creative + Brand

UC's Novel Device Lab in the news

Jason Heikenfeld with his sweat sensor technology at the 1819 Innovation Hub.

UC College of Engineering and Applied Science professor Jason Heikenfeld holds up a sweat sensor at UC's 1819 Innovation Hub. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Creative + Brand

Impact Lives Here

The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.

Stay up on all UC's COVID-19 stories, read more #UCtheGood content, or take a UC virtual visit and begin picturing yourself at an institution that inspires incredible stories.

Related Stories

1

Driven by curiosity, guided by care

May 14, 2026

Max Wilson, a University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences health sciences major on the pre-physician assistant track, found his path expanding beyond the classroom and into hands-on research focused on human performance and patient care.

2

Computer science student's color blindness inspires outfit matching app

May 14, 2026

Eric Langhorne, a computer science undergraduate student at the University of Cincinnati, has developed a smartphone application that tells users whether or not their clothes are a match. Langhorne has color blindness, so this is a question he often asks himself and was a challenge he wanted to address. This project was done through the Experiential Explorations Program (EEP).

3

Will a gas tax help lower prices at the pump?

May 14, 2026

WCPO recently reported on Kentucky and Indiana’s steps to combat surging gas prices, cutting and suspending state gas taxes, respectively. UC economist Michael Jones explained the impact on Cincinnati.