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A Portable RT-LAMP/CRISPR Machine for Rapid COVID-19 Screening
Meysam Rezaei1,2,3, Sajad Razavi Bazaz1,2, Dorsa Morshedi Rad1
1School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
Biosensors
|October 22, 2021
Summary
A new portable device rapidly detects SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) using isothermal amplification and CRISPR technology. This system offers accurate, on-site testing for infectious diseases in various settings.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid and accessible diagnostic tools.
- Existing methods for SARS-CoV-2 detection can be time-consuming and require specialized facilities.
- Portable diagnostic solutions are crucial for managing infectious disease outbreaks and reducing societal burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a portable, semi-automated system for rapid SARS-CoV-2 detection.
- To enable easy-to-use, on-site diagnosis of infectious diseases.
- To provide a cost-effective solution for crisis centers, mobile labs, and remote locations.
Main Methods:
- Development of a portable device integrating a heater, cooler fan, and PID controller for precise temperature management.
- Utilized reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) for viral RNA amplification.
- Employed CRISPR/Cas12a technology for specific detection of amplified SARS-CoV-2 sequences.
Main Results:
- The developed system demonstrated a limit of detection of 35 copies of the virus per microliter.
- The device is portable and semi-automated, facilitating use outside traditional laboratory settings.
- The methodology proved effective for rapid screening of SARS-CoV-2.
Conclusions:
- The portable SARS-CoV-2 detection system offers a viable solution for rapid, accurate, and accessible diagnostics.
- This technology can be deployed in diverse settings like airports and mobile laboratories for immediate screening.
- The system holds significant potential for early detection and management of infectious diseases.
