Holomic a finalist in XChallenge sensing contest

A technology firm founded by University of California, Los Angeles, professor Aydogan Ozcan and his students has made it to the final round of a $2.25 million international competition for companies improving health care by developing advanced, consumer-friendly sensing devices.

The company, Holomic LLC, is one of 12 finalists in the 2013 Nokia Sensing XChallenge, a contest designed to spur advances in consumer-oriented mobile health technologies. Judges will award prizes up to $525,000 to firms developing accurate and reliable sensors for identifying and diagnosing diseases and other health conditions. Competitors hail from Japan, Israel and the UK as well as other areas around the US.

Holomic has developed a series of lightweight and compact lens-free microscopes and diagnostic tools that can be attached to camera phones to test blood samples and other bodily fluids. Another creation, a diagnostic test reader, provides instant access to electronic health records and other information useful in direct care or public health monitoring.