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High-throughput and automated screening for COVID-19.
Nestor Jonguitud-Borrego1,2, Koray Malcı1,2, Mihir Anand3
1Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Medical Technology
|October 3, 2022
Summary
Automated workflows are crucial for high-throughput COVID-19 diagnostic testing, enhancing speed and accuracy. Reviewing case studies shows automation
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Public Health
- Biotechnology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic presents a significant global health challenge, necessitating robust diagnostic testing.
- High demand for SARS-CoV-2 testing strains healthcare systems worldwide.
- Automated workflows offer a solution to increase testing capacity and efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the importance of automated high-throughput testing for pandemic control.
- To discuss available equipment, implementation challenges, and successful case studies.
- To highlight the role of Free and Open Source scientific and medical Hardware (FOSH) in automation.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature and case studies from China, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
- Analysis of automated testing equipment and workflows for SARS-CoV-2 detection.
- Evaluation of implementation bottlenecks and successes in mass testing scenarios.
Main Results:
- Automation significantly improves high-throughput screening, reducing human error and increasing diagnostic precision.
- Case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of automated testing in real-world settings.
- Free and Open Source scientific and medical Hardware (FOSH) is a key enabler but faces implementation challenges.
Conclusions:
- Automated high-throughput testing is vital for managing infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19.
- Successful implementation requires addressing specific bottlenecks and leveraging available technologies.
- Automation, supported by FOSH, promises to enhance global diagnostic capabilities.
