Molecular Diagnostics on the Go

Portable Nucleic Acid Collection for Rapid Disease Detection in Specialty Crops

Overview

California’s specialty crops—citrus, avocados, and grapes—are vital to our agricultural heritage and economy. Yet, they face growing threats from destructive diseases such as Huanglongbing, Citrus tristeza virus, and Pierce’s disease. Led by Professor Hideaki Tsutsui at UC Riverside, this project is developing an innovative, handheld device that empowers growers to quickly collect high-quality nucleic acids directly in the field—without the need for an on-site laboratory.

Explore the Project’s Publications

Learn more about the peer-reviewed research produced through this USDA-funded project. These publications describe the development of portable sample-preparation technologies and rapid molecular methods designed to make citrus pathogen detection faster, simpler, and more accessible.

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Breakthrough Technology

Pocket-Sized Innovation: Compact, Efficient, Transformative

Imagine a handheld tool that can perform the most difficult step in molecular diagnostics - extracting pure nucleic acids - right in the field. Dr Tsutsui’s portable device brings core laboratory capabilities directly to growers:

Automated Tissue Lysis: A high-speed motor and precision blades effectively break down tough plant tissue quickly and consistently.
Efficient Nucleic Acid Extraction: A specially designed membrane captures total nucleic acids, ready for downstream testing.
Simplified Workflow: By eliminating lengthy lab procedures, the device allows growers to simply collect a sample, extract nucleic acids, and mail it to a central lab, receiving prompt diagnostic results.

This approach mirrors the rapid testing models seen in recent public health responses, but is tailored to the unique needs of our specialty crops.

Why It Matters

Rapid, Affordable, Empowering

Rapid Response: Early and accurate detection can prevent outbreaks that threaten entire orchards.
Cost-Effective & Scalable: By reducing dependence on traditional lab infrastructure, our device cuts costs and simplifies logistics for both growers and diagnostic labs.
Enhanced Grower Confidence: With an on-site tool, farmers can regularly monitor crop health and take timely action when issues are detected, protecting their own operations and California’s agricultural future.

Outreach and Education

Innovative Approach

The project is about empowering stakeholders by providing them with both the technology and the knowledge they need:

Hands-On Training: We’re hosting regional workshops and live demonstrations to show growers, farm advisors, and researchers how to use the device effectively.
Accessible Online Resources: Detailed demonstration videos and protocols ensure that both scientists and non-scientists can understand and benefit from this technology.
Collaborative Impact: By working with agricultural organizations and extension networks, we’re ensuring that our device delivers real-world benefits across California’s specialty crop industry.

Watch the video below to learn how UC Riverside researchers are developing a portable nucleic acid collection device to support faster, field-ready plant disease diagnostics.

Detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) video tutorial coming soon

Looking Ahead

With strong performance in both the lab and field, this portable nucleic acid collection device has the potential to transform disease diagnostics in specialty crops. Beyond immediate impact, its portable design leads to future integrations of on-site molecular tests, paving the way for even faster diagnostic results and more resilient agricultural practices.

Join us as we work to safeguard California’s specialty crops and drive agricultural innovation forward..

Recent Publications

Chia-Wei Liu, Sohrab Bodaghi, Manjunath L. Keremane, Brent Kalish, Georgios Vidalakis, Hideaki Tsutsui, Rapid colorimetric detection of Citrus tristeza virus combining portable sample preparation and reverse transcription-loop mediated isothermal amplification, SLAS Technology, Volume 37, 2026, 100398, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.slast.2026.100398.
Chia-Wei Liu, Brent Kalish, Sohrab Bodaghi, Georgios Vidalakis, Hideaki Tsutsui, A 3D-printed handheld device for quick citrus tissue lysis and nucleic acid extraction, Advances in Sample Preparation, Volume 15, 2025, 100199, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sampre.2025.100199.
Chia-Wei Liu, Sohrab Bodaghi, Georgios Vidalakis, Hideaki Tsutsui, Quick Plant Sample Preparation Methods Using a Micro-Homogenizer for the Detection of Multiple Citrus Pathogens, Chemosensors, Volume 12(6), 2024, 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors12060105