Rapid and Sensitive SARS-CoV-2 Test with a Smartphone

Grant number: unknown

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Key facts

  • Disease

    COVID-19
  • start year

    2020
  • Funder

    Volkswagen Stiftung
  • Principal Investigator

    Dr and Prof Dr and Prof Dr and Dr Irene Fernandez-Cuesta, Arwen Pearson, James Holton, Neus Feliu
  • Research Location

    Germany
  • Lead Research Institution

    Universität Hamburg
  • Research Priority Alignment

    N/A
  • Research Category

    Pathogen: natural history, transmission and diagnostics

  • Research Subcategory

    Diagnostics

  • Special Interest Tags

    N/A

  • Study Type

    Non-Clinical

  • Clinical Trial Details

    N/A

  • Broad Policy Alignment

    Pending

  • Age Group

    Not Applicable

  • Vulnerable Population

    Not applicable

  • Occupations of Interest

    Not applicable

Abstract

Billions of rapid tests are required to quell a pandemic with significant asymptomatic spread, such as COVID-19. However, current testing protocols are insufficient, and developing countries do not have the adequate infrastructures. The project team will develop an ultra-cheap, versatile single-use device for fast and sensitive detection of genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 at home, using a mobile phone for read out. The device is based on a lateral flow assay, but in contrast to "paper"-based devices, it will be a structured, plastic chip, where the analyte can be strongly concentrated and detected via fluorescent nanoparticles for excellent sensitivity.