Scientists at Glasgow University are being funded by Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates’ charity to develop a hand-held device to diagnose malaria.

Glasgow scientists hope to be able to quickly diagnose infected red blood cells

The $100,000 (£62,200) will fund a study into the use of Surface Acoustic Waves (SAWS) to detect red blood cells infected by malaria parasites.

Detection is thought to be possible as cells respond to SAWS in different ways depending on the cell properties.

SAWS electronic components are commonly found in TVs and mobile phones.

The Glasgow team proposes to use SAWS to exert selective forces on malaria-infected red blood cells to separate them from uninfected red cells.

Different cells respond to SAWs in different ways depending on physical properties such as elasticity and shape.

To read more on how this technology could improve patient care