Researchers Build 3D-Printed Tool for Pathogen Detection

A new device collects mosquito waste to identify dangerous viruses without the need to process whole insects.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Life Sciences

A translucent 3D-printed funnel and collection tube containing crimson biological fluid on a laboratory bench, representing a novel pathogen detection tool. — Scientists have introduced a 3D-printed funnel device that detects viruses by analyzing mosquito waste, providing a non-invasive early warning system for pathogens. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Scientists have developed a 3D-printed funnel that analyzes mosquito excrement to monitor for emerging health threats. The team successfully used the device to recover a complete West Nile virus genome and identify a Hedwig-like virus in the Americas.

Why it matters

Monitoring mosquito waste serves as a non-invasive early warning system for tracking pathogens. By analyzing waste instead of grinding up whole insects, researchers can significantly reduce the amount of mosquito DNA in samples, making it easier to detect specific viruses.

The study utilized 50 Culex mosquitoes housed in a 3D-printed funnel coated with water-repelling materials. The device captured liquid waste over a duration of 18 hours, which was then analyzed for genetic signatures of various pathogens.

The players

Rutgers University

An American public research university that serves as the host institution for the research team developing the new diagnostic technology.

The details

The device functions by collecting liquid excreted by mosquitoes into a specialized tube, facilitating easier genetic analysis. In the study, mosquitoes consumed sugar water mixed with red food coloring, and the resulting waste was tested for the presence of viral genomes.

Researchers collected mosquito excrement over an 18-hour period.

The Big Picture

This discovery advances the detection methods utilized in the West Nile virus surveillance program by enabling genetic identification from insect waste rather than whole-body samples. It signals a shift toward less invasive diagnostic tools that could redefine how scientists monitor for viral pathogens.

This technology could eventually lead to more rapid and accurate identification of mosquito-borne diseases in local communities. By streamlining the collection process, the device may shorten the time required for public health officials to issue warnings about emerging outbreaks.

The takeaway

This method proves that analyzing insect excrement is a viable, efficient alternative to processing entire mosquitoes for disease tracking. Future iterations of this technology aim to combine trapping and collection into a single field-deployable unit for broader environmental monitoring.