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Updated: Nov 25, 2025
A Rapid, Multiplex Dual Reporter IgG and IgM SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization Assay for a Multiplexed Bead-Based Flow Analysis System
Published on: April 6, 2021
A high-throughput multiplexed microfluidic device for COVID-19 serology assays
Roberto Rodriguez-Moncayo1, Diana F Cedillo-Alcantar1, Pablo E Guevara-Pantoja1
1Laboratory of Microtechnologies for Biomedicine, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav), Monterrey, NL, Mexico. jlgarciac@cinvestav.mx.
A new microfluidic device enables high-throughput serology testing for SARS-CoV-2, accurately detecting antibodies against multiple viral antigens. This technology aids in COVID-19 diagnosis, prevalence studies, and pandemic modeling.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Serology tests are crucial for understanding SARS-CoV-2 infection, population prevalence, and pandemic dynamics.
- Existing serology assays require improvement in throughput, sensitivity, and ability to detect reactivity to multiple viral antigens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a high-throughput microfluidic device for parallel assessment of antibody reactivities against SARS-CoV-2 antigens.
- To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the developed platform using clinical samples.
Main Methods:
- A semi-automatic microfluidic platform was designed to process up to 50 serum samples in parallel.
- The platform measures IgG and IgM levels against four key SARS-CoV-2 proteins: Spike (S), S1 subunit (S1), Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD), and Nucleocapsid (N).
- Assay optimization was followed by evaluation using sera from COVID-19 patients and archival samples.
Main Results:
- The assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 91% for COVID-19 diagnosis.
- Sensitivity and specificity improved to 100% when analyzing sera from individuals in the third week post-symptom onset.
- Longitudinal monitoring of antibody titers in five COVID-19 patients was successfully performed.
Conclusions:
- The developed high-throughput microfluidic device offers a sensitive and reliable tool for SARS-CoV-2 serological testing.
- This platform can significantly contribute to efficient COVID-19 diagnosis, epidemiological studies, and pandemic control efforts.
