New material replaces nitrocellulose membrane in lateral-flow immunoassays.

New material replaces nitrocellulose membrane in lateral-flow immunoassays. A patent-pending material, Lateral-Flo membrane can replace nitrocellulose material with little change to current functionality or to assembly equipment. Developed by Porex Porous Products (Fairburn, GA; 800/565-8777), Lateral-Flo offers a solution to the lot-to-lot variability, lack of stability when stored, flammability, and weak tensile strength associated with nitrocellulose. By fusing dense polyethylene particles into a single membrane, specially designed production equipment creates a stable base material. The sizing of the spherical particles ensures a consistent reproducibility. A chemical process modifies the structure's surface to increase protein binding and capillary rise, eliminating the need to use surfactants.