'''Flow-through tests''' are a type of diagnostic assay that allows users to test for the presence of a biomarker, usually a specific [[antibody]], in a sample such as blood.<ref name="Yetisen2013">{{cite journal |author= Ali Kemal Yetisen |coauthors= Muhammad Safwan Akram, Christopher R. Lowe |year= 2013 |month= May |title= Paper-based microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic devices |journal= [[Lab on a Chip (journal)|Lab on a Chip]] |volume= 13 |issue= 12 |pages= 2210-2251|doi= 10.1039/C3LC50169H }}</ref> Detection of a specific biomarker aids in the diagnosis of and allows therapeutic action to be initiated quickly. The field of applications for this technology is wide, whereas generally all applications applying [[lateral flow test]]s can be replaced by flow-through assays. Commercial applications mainly target testing for infectious disease, both by viruses (e.g. [[HIV]], [[Hepatitis C]], [[Hepatitis B]] <ref name="medmira">http://www.medmira.com/default.asp?mn=1.21.83.113</ref>
) or bacteria (e.g. [[Syphilis]]<ref name="medmira_a">http://www.medmira.com/default.asp?mn=1.21.168.169</ref>
or [[Helicobacter pylori]] <ref name="medmira_b">http://www.medmira.com/default.asp?mn=1.21.82</ref>).
