Caltech Researchers develop a 10-minute COVID-19 infection detection test
The SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads rapidly and one prime reason why the virus cannot be contained is that a carrier of the virus might be asymptomatic yet can pas
s the virus who comes in contact with them.
Therefore a crucial part of the global effort to stop the pandemic is the development of tests that can identify individuals contracted with the virus even though they show no visible symptoms.
Researchers at Caltech developed a multiplexed rapid test. The test combines multiple kinds of data for rapid analysis. The test involves a low-cost sensor that enables the diagnosis of the COVID-19 infection at home with a saliva or blood sample, without the assistance of a medical professional. The test takes about 10 minutes for the diagnosis.
Wei Gao, Assistant professor, Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of medical engineering, Caltech, conducted the research. The team headed by Gao previously developed wireless sensors for the detection of specific compounds in body fluids like blood, sweat, or saliva to monitor different conditions like gout, as well as stress levels.
The sensors are made of a form of carbon, Graphene. A 3-D graphene structure is generated from a plastic sheet etched with a laser, and the 3-D structure has tiny pores. A large surface area is created on the sensor due to the presence of the pores. The sensor is sensitive enough to detect small amounts of compounds with high accuracy. The graphene structure in the sensor is coupled with protein-specific antibodies, like the ones on the surface of the SAR-CoV-2 virus, for example.
The previous versions of the sensor were impregnated with cortisol hormone antibodies. The cortisol hormone is associated with stress and uric acid, which is an indicator of gout. The New version of the sensor is named SARS-CoV-2 RapidPlex. The sensor contains antibodies and proteins specific to the virus which allows the detection of the virus. The antibodies generated in the body against the virus and the chemical markers of inflammation indicates the severity of the COVID-19 infection.
Gao states that their sensor is the only telemedicine platform that gives information about the infection in three types of data with a single sensor. Within a few minutes, the sensor can provide a full picture of the infection, including early infection, immunity, and severity simultaneously.
Established COVID-testing technologies take hours to produce the results and involve expensive and complicated equipment. The sensor developed by Gao and his team is compact and simple.
The device has undergone lab testing with samples collected from individuals who have tested positive or negative for COVID-19. The preliminary results indicate the sensor to be highly accurate, but larger-scale tests with suspected patients rather than laboratory samples are yet to be conducted.
The pilot study for the study is now completed and Gao next plans to test the longevity of the sensor with regular use and plan to begin testing with hospitalized COVID-19 patients. After the in-hospital testings, he would further study the suitability of the test for use at home without the presence of medical professionals. Following the testing phase, the device would need regulatory approval before distribution for use at home.
Gao states that their ultimate aim is the use of the device at home. In the following year, the team plan on mailing the device to individuals with high-risk of having the infection for at-home testing. And in the future, the team intends to modify the platform to detect other infectious diseases at home.
The research paper has been published online and will appear in the journal Matter in the December issue.
Caltech Researchers develop a 10-minute COVID-19 infection detection test
Author: Mayuree Hazarika
