SARS CoV2 Aptamer Development for Surface Testing [Funder: Carleton University COVID-19 Rapid Research Response Grants]

COVID-19 testing demand is outstripping capacity and testing supplies are limited. Current virus detection methods require hours-to-days, as well as proper sample handling and storage for optimal performance. There is also an urgent need for surface testing methods for hospitals, homes, and workplaces. Ideally, these should not add to the clinical testing backlog by using the same scarce resources employed in diagnosis. Aptamers are short DNA or RNA sequences that can be used to capture a variety of molecular targets, including viruses, which could be employed for surface testing without depleting resources needed for clinical testing. We propose to leverage our expertise in aptamer discovery for viruses and our experience preparing aptamer-based detection tests on cloth and paper to develop a SARS CoV2 test strip or "wipe-test" that could be employed for surface testing with minimal training and equipment.