A Miniaturized System for Rapid, Isothermal Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Human and Environmental Samples.
Jake StaplesAthanasia-Maria DourouIrene LiampaCalvin SjaardaEmily MoslingerHenry WongPrameet M ShethStilianos ArhondakisRavi PrakashPublished in: Biomedicines (2023)
We report a small-footprint cost-effective isothermal rapid DNA amplification system, with integrated microfluidics for automated sample analysis and detection of SARS-CoV-2 in human and environmental samples. Our system measures low-level fluorescent signals in real-time during amplification, while maintaining the desired assay temperature on a low power, portable system footprint. A unique soft microfluidic chip design was implemented to mitigate thermocapillary effects and facilitate optical alignment for automated image capture and signal analysis. The system-on-board prototype, coupled with the LAMP primers designed by BioCoS, was sensitive enough to detect large variations in viral loads of SARS-CoV-2 corresponding to a threshold cycle range of 16 to 39. Furthermore, tested samples consisted of a broad range of viral strains and lineages identified in Canada during 2021-2022. Clinical specimens were collected and tested at the Kingston Health Science Centre using a clinically validated PCR assay, and variants were determined using whole genome sequencing.
Keyphrases
- sars cov
- loop mediated isothermal amplification
- high throughput
- label free
- nucleic acid
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- endothelial cells
- deep learning
- public health
- healthcare
- machine learning
- escherichia coli
- sensitive detection
- circulating tumor cells
- real time pcr
- human health
- single cell
- copy number
- high resolution
- cell free
- circulating tumor
- health information
- social media
- ultrasound guided