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Developing a SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test Using Engineered Affinity Proteins
Seunghyeon Kim1, Emma Yee1, Eric A Miller1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Chemrxiv : the Preprint Server for Chemistry
|May 20, 2021
Summary
A new method rapidly identified diagnostic tools for COVID-19. This enables fast, large-scale production of paper-based tests for infectious diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Infectious Disease Research
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for rapid, scalable diagnostic tests.
- Current diagnostic technologies face challenges in large-scale manufacturing and accessibility.
Approach:
- Utilized the Rapid Affinity Pair Identification via Directed Selection (RAPIDS) method to discover affinity pairs for SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N-protein).
- Developed a 10-minute, vertical-flow cellulose paper test integrating the highest sensitivity affinity pair.
- Demonstrated compatibility of identified affinity proteins with roll-to-roll printing for mass production.
Key Points:
- Discovered multiple affinity pairs for SARS-CoV-2 N-protein within 10 weeks.
- Achieved limits of detection at 40 pM and 80 pM in mock swab and saliva samples.
- Successfully detected N-protein in clinical swab samples.
Conclusions:
- This work enables mass production of cellulose paper-based assays, addressing shortages of current diagnostic materials.
- The RAPIDS method and engineered binders show promise for rapid development of diagnostic tests for emerging infectious diseases.
