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Accessible Platform for High-Throughput COVID-19 Molecular Diagnostics and Genome Sequencing Using a Repurposed 3D
Koen Vandelannoote1, Andrew H Buultjens1, Lucy Li1
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|August 26, 2021
Summary
A low-cost, 3D-printed RNA extraction platform, the Ender VX500, enables rapid SARS-CoV-2 detection. This accessible workflow overcomes reagent shortages for essential molecular diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted critical supply chain vulnerabilities in molecular diagnostics.
- Market monopolies on essential reagents and hardware disrupted global diagnostic capabilities.
- Shortages of consumables for RT-qPCR hindered routine diagnostic services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an accessible, low-cost workflow for rapid SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection.
- To address global shortages of molecular diagnostic consumables.
- To create a scalable and reproducible RNA extraction platform.
Main Methods:
- Repurposed 3D printers (Creality3D Ender-3) to build a semiautomated paramagnetic bead RNA extraction platform (Ender VX500).
- Utilized low-cost equipment ($300 USD hardware, $1 USD per reaction).
- Validated performance with RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 detection in nasal swabs and saliva.
Main Results:
- Ender VX500 achieved a limit of detection of two virus copies per microliter.
- High agreement with a commercial automated platform (Hologic Panther Aptima SARS-CoV-2 assay) using 458 specimens.
- Excellent inter- and intra-instrument precision (CVs 0.66-1.32%).
- Scalable throughput from 23 to 364 specimens depending on instrument and user numbers.
Conclusions:
- The Ender VX500 offers a cost-effective and accessible solution for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection.
- The open-source workflow can enhance diagnostic capacity during global health crises.
- This platform democratizes molecular diagnostics by reducing reliance on commercial monopolies.
