At ETH Zurich researchers are relying on detecting the polarization of light as it passes through a substance as a potential diagnostic tool for spotting a variety of biomarkers. In initial tests of the technology, the team was able to identify malaria infection (by detecting of hemozoin crystallites), but also HIV and Ebola, as well as glucose and cholesterol.
The technique relies on birefringence, the polarization effect that many crystals (and liquids) create when light passes through them. Specifically the investigators are using lyotropic liquid crystals based on lipids that are safe for biological use.