Quansys Biosciences and non-profit health organisation PATH have developed a new multiplex diagnostic tool Q-Plex Micronutrient Array to fight against malnutrition and improve the health of women and children.

The new tool is designed to simultaneously detect up to seven nutrition-related biomarkers, as well as malaria infection in a single sample of human serum.

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The Q-Plex Micronutrient Array will enable researchers to compile national data on the status of micronutrient deficiency for implementing and assessing targeted interventions.

"The test gives researchers the ability to quantify key biomarkers for micronutrient deficiency and inflammation in a simple, single assay format."

Quansys Biosciences chief executive officer Matt Groll said: "We are proud to be a part of an exciting product that will make an impact in the world.

"The Q-Plex Micronutrient Array provides another great example of how public-private collaboration and the custom development and manufacture of quality products can improve health for women and children worldwide."

The results from the test can be utilised to determine the extent of the deficiency, identify sub-populations that are at greatest risk, and track the efficacy and progress of nutrition programmes.

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PATH senior research scientist David Boyle said: "The test gives researchers the ability to quantify key biomarkers for micronutrient deficiency and inflammation in a simple, single assay format.

"That will allow nutrition researchers and country health programme leaders to gather population data at the necessary scale-something that was highly challenging or impossible before."

Currently available in a 6-plex or 7-plex configuration, the customisable array can detect biomarkers that indicate deficiencies of iron and vitamin A, inflammatory status and malaria infection.

The seven panels present in the array identify ferritin, retinol binding protein 4, soluble transferrin receptor, C-reactive protein, thyroglobulin, alpha-acid glycoprotein and histidine-rich protein II.