Research Themes:
Instrumentation, Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy
Technology for Expanding Access to Heathcare

Education

Ph.D. (Physics) University of Maryland, College Park
Sc.B. (Physics) Brown University

Research Interests

• Point-of-care diagnostics
  
• Microfluidic assay development
  
• Surface plasmon resonance sensing

Contact Information

Department of Bioengineering
University of Washington
Box 355061
William H. Foege Building, Room N510G
Phone: 206-685-9891
Fax: 206-685-3300
efu@u.washington.edu

Research Description

My research activities encompass microfluidics and sensor technology development with the aim of increasing the performance and capabilities of microfluidics-based sensors for point-of-care diagnostics. Recently, my research focus has been on the development of paper-based assays for low-resource settings. Conventional paper-based lateral flow strips are the standard bioassay format in low-resource settings due to their ease of use and low cost. However, for many analytes, these tests lack the sensitivity to have clinical utility. My current research is concerned with extending the strip format to two-dimensional networks to enable multi-step processes for improved performance and enhanced capabilities while maintaining the ease of use and low cost of conventional lateral flow tests. We have demonstrated the use of simple tools to implement multi-step processes, such as signal amplification, for improved limits of detection in paper network assays. Understanding the transport of analytes in paper networks is essential for creating effective analytical devices, and efforts are ongoing to use experiments and modeling to produce a framework for understanding and predicting transport in simple paper strip geometries. Ongoing work is also focused on the development of paper network assays in multiple formats.

Selected Publications

• E. Fu, T. Liang, P. Spicar-Mihalic, J. Houghtaling, S. Ramachandran, and P. Yager, A two-dimensional paper network format that enables simple multi-step assays for use in low-resource settings in the context of malaria antigen detection, Analytical Chemistry, DOI: 10.1021/ac300689s (2012).
• E. Fu, P. Yager, P. N. Floriano, N. Christodoulides, and J. McDevitt, Perspective on Diagnostics for Global Health, IEEE Pulse Nov./Dec. issue (2011).
• B. Lutz, P. Trinh, C. Ball, E. Fu, and P. Yager, Two-dimensional paper networks: programmable fluidic disconnects for multi-step processes in shaped paper. Lab on a Chip 11, 4274-4278 (2011).
• E. Fu, T. Liang, J. Houghtaling, S. Ramachandran, S. Ramsey, B. Lutz, and P. Yager, Enhanced sensitivity of lateral flow tests using at two-dimensional paper network format, Analytical Chemistry 83, 7941-7946 (2011).
• E. Fu, S. A. Ramsey, P. Kauffman, B. Lutz, and P. Yager, Transport in two-dimensional paper networks, Microfluidics and Nanofluidics 10, 29-35 (2011).
• J. Osborn, B. Lutz, E. Fu, P. Kauffman, D. Stevens, and P. Yager, Microfluidics without pumps: translating adjacent flows onto paper networks, Lab on a Chip 10, 2659-2665 (2010).
• P. Kauffman, E. Fu, B. Lutz, and P. Yager, Visualization and measurement of flow in two-dimensional paper networks, Lab on a Chip 10, 2614-2617 (2010).
• E. Fu, P. Kauffman, B. Lutz, and P. Yager, Chemical signal amplification in two-dimensional paper networks, Sensors and Actuators B 149, 325-328 (2010).
• E. Fu, B. Lutz, P. Kauffman, P. Yager, Controlled reagent transport in disposable 2D paper networks, Lab on a Chip 10, 918-920 (2010).
• E. Fu, K. E. Nelson, S. A. Ramsey, J. O. Foley, K. Helton, P. Yager, Modeling of a competitive microfluidic heterogeneous immunoassay: sensitivity of the assay response to varying system parameters, Analytical Chemistry 81, 3407-3413 (2009).