On-chip screening of SARS-CoV-2 cDNA by LAMP-integrated rotational diffusometry

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for rapid, precise, and scalable virus detection methods.
• Existing techniques often face limitations in speed, sensitivity, or scale for effective disease control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an advanced on-chip platform for efficient nucleic acid amplification and detection.
• To utilize rotational diffusometry and functionalized Janus particles for enhanced diagnostic sensitivity and speed.

Main Methods:

• A microfluidic chip was designed for on-chip loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) using specific primers.
• Functionalized Janus particles were employed in conjunction with rotational diffusometry for sensitive detection.
• The SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 2 (nsp2) gene was used as a target for proof-of-concept COVID-19 detection.

Main Results:

• Achieved a limit of detection of 1 pg/μL within 10 minutes using a small sample volume (20 μL).
• Demonstrated tenfold higher sensitivity compared to conventional methods.
• Validated optimal Janus particle concentrations and assessed on-chip LAMP performance via thermal imaging.

Conclusions:

• The developed on-chip LAMP platform with rotational diffusometry offers a highly sensitive and rapid nucleic acid detection solution.
• This technology has the potential for rapid diagnosis of various infectious diseases by adapting primers for different target genes.
• The study proposes a versatile platform for future nucleic acid amplification-based diagnostic tools.