Rapid serological testing for combined detection of IgG and IgM against SARS-CoV-2

The project aims at the development of a rapid and easy-to-use serological test for the screening of COVID-19 and the differentiation between current and past infections. The addition of fingerprick blood sample and a final immersion of dipstick/addition of substrate is the only required end-user intervention. It is based on the detection of the IgM and IgG antibodies produced by infected person's immune system to fight the infection. The assay design will diffe from the common format used by numerous manufacturers to eliminate the possibility of false negative results. Gold and carbon nanoparticle labels will be used for visual readout and the specific colour combination on the strips will be related to the presence of specific antibody type. A recombinant COVID-19 antigen will be prepared for the final preparation of prototype tests to be validated using patient blood samples. The assay time will be less than 15 minutes and the production cost will be ca 1€