Development of an Automated Diagnostic Platform for SARS-CoV-2 Monitoring in Vulnerable Areas

Project SummaryThe devastation caused by emerging pathogens with fast transmission capacity, such as SARS-CoV-2, hasdemonstrated the importance of preparedness for future viral outbreaks; this includes the ability for fastdeployment of in-situ testing tools and epidemiological surveillance with high temporal and spatialresolution; particularly in places that are most vulnerable to becoming reservoirs of infectious agents.We propose to develop a versatile multiplexing detection platform for SARS-CoV-2 in saliva. The proposedsystem will integrate signals from different biorecognition elements. Aptamer, antibody, and ACE2 will beimmobilized onto laser inscribed graphene electrodes, and detection mechanisms targeting SARS-CoV-2spike protein will be studied under varying testing conditions (pH, temperature, ionic strength). Afterdetermining the operating conditions for enhanced performance of each biosensor, a self-referencingapproach will be used between complementary recognition elements (i.e., possible combinations ofaptamers, antibodies, and ACE2 enzyme biosensors) to evaluate the effects on test results accuracy (i.e.,risk of false-positive and false-negative results). A saliva pre-treatment protocol will be developed tofacilitate SARS-CoV-2 testing in human saliva using the multiplex biosensor platform. An open channelmicrofluidics system will be designed to automatically split and channel a single saliva sample into multiplestreams to the biosensors without saturation, biofouling, and pump requirement. The development of afunctional and reliable multiplex biosensor system will be useful for addressing longstanding needs in publichealth as the respiratory Coronavirus family continues its seasonal visits, which may repeat over severaldecades, much like the occasional visits from the influenza virus, with varying degrees of virulence.