A group of researchers in Boston have designed a postcard-sized test that can detect SARS-CoV-2 infection and the presence of antibodies as a result of a recent infection — delivering a two-in-one punch that can diagnose active COVID cases. . (including identifying the variant responsible), as well as how well a person is protected against future infections, thanks to antibody levels. The researchers hope their new portable device, which tests a patient’s saliva sample within two hours, will be a valuable tool to help limit the spike in new cases caused by the emergence of new variants over time. Preliminary results of the device have been published Monday in the magazine Biomedical engineering properties.
“In the early days, everyone was working on developing diagnostics that could detect either SARS-CoV-2 or antibodies to it, but not both,” said co-author Helena de Puig, a biotechnology researcher at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biological Research. Engineering inspiration, in pers conference. He added that the new test is all-in-one.
Wyss Institute at Harvard University
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The test combines two COVID technologies developed by Wyss Institute researchers. First, a detailed diagnostic test of specific variables Last August in a study published in scientific progresslooking for RNAs common to all coronavirus variants and their respective fragments. other The test measures COVID antibodies with their sandwiches Between two sensors that make an electrical signal.
Using samples from 19 patients with COVID-19 and 11 negative patients, the researchers found that their diagnosis was 100 percent accurate in detecting the SARS-CoV-2 viral antibodies and IgG produced in response to infection.
“In the early days, everyone was working on developing diagnostics that could detect SARS-CoV-2 or antibodies to it, but not both.“
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– Helena de Puig
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This is encouraging news, but the researchers made clear that the results were hampered by the small number of saliva samples available to them. The device isn’t in its final form either: future modifications could improve its electronics and make it reusable, rather than disposable.
Co-author Sanjay Sharma Timilsina, who is currently a co-author of the study, is the lead scientist at biotech startup StataDX, said in a press release.
Researchers are looking at the use of this test outside of COVID as well. The RNA and antibody sensing techniques could theoretically be applied to any flavor of those molecules, meaning we could respond more quickly to future pandemics.
“What excites me about this diagnostic tool is that it combines a high degree of accuracy with a flexible design that could make it a key tool in our arsenal for tackling future epidemics,” said co-author James Collins, a biotechnology researcher at MIT. in a press release.
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