In 2013, Wobble Base, started by an experienced molecular microbiologist, chose tuberculosis (TB) as its primary focus due to its alarming statistics in India and worldwide. Concurrently, a project on developing HIV-1 drug resistance assays using PCR-sequencing was underway, during which TB emerged as a significant opportunistic infection. Weekly lab meetings highlighted the severe impact of TB on the population and the government’s financial burden in combating the disease. For us, it became clear that TB diagnostics needed to be an immediate priority.

Initially, the focus was on TB detection through genes, targets, primers, platforms, dyes, labels, and related research. However, as the project progressed, the team realized that the real challenge was in obtaining and storing appropriate samples. Sputum samples from distant locations often faced contamination, damage to containers, and the dependency on cold chains, compounded by the limited storage capacity of the lab’s small refrigerator which often resulted in poor quality samples, which had the potential to impact the results of the subsequent confirmatory tests.

With time it was realized that it was comparatively easy to design PCR assays and use software to design primers and probes in the lab. But all of these have limited use unless there is a robust solution that ensures a sustained flow of quality samples. Gradually, all staff started brainstorming on how to create a novel solution where samples can be stored when sample flow is good and can be used when their availability is scarce. 

Incidentally, our then lab manager, emphasized the need to conserve refrigerator space and offered wooden cupboards for storage, which further fuelled our creativity towards the creation of the TBSend card innovation. After multiple discussions and collaborative efforts of our team for over four long years, the TBSend Card was born.