A new virus test technology featuring DNA test has entered the phase of clinical experiment, said a scientist in east China.

Different from traditional method that relies on antigen or antibody test, the technology is based on genetic substances of the viruses, namely DNA or RNA, to confirm epidemic diseases such as hepatitis or AIDS, said Charlie Xiang, chief scientist of the Microarray Center of U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), at a forum on industrialization of high-tech held in Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province.

Compared with traditional method, the new technology needs less blood as the sample--just one drop, and it could help testers discern more than 100 diseases at the same time, said the scientist.

Besides, since it takes days or even months for a body to produce antibody after infection, traditional method couldn't test out a disease during this period, while the new technology excels in this regard.

According to Xiang, clinical experiment usually takes about half a year before a technology could be launched into market.

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