covid 19: Low-cost smartphone based test can accurately detect COVID-19 in 20 minutes

Researchers within the US have developed a low-cost smartphone primarily based diagnostic device for COVID-19 that mixes the pace of over-the-counter antigen exams with the accuracy of PCR exams. The Concord COVID-19 take a look at developed by researchers on the College of Washington within the US detects genetic materials from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the researchers mentioned.

Whereas the traditional PCR exams can take a number of hours, the Concord package can present ends in lower than 20 minutes for some samples and with related accuracy, they mentioned.

“We designed the take a look at to be low-cost and easy sufficient that it may very well be used anyplace,” mentioned Bary Lutz, an affiliate professor on the College of Washington.

“We hope that the low value will make high-performance testing extra accessible domestically and world wide,” mentioned Lutz, senior creator of the analysis paper printed within the journal Science Advances.

The take a look at makes use of a “PCR-like” methodology to detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome in a nasal swab pattern with assistance from a small, low-cost detector.

A smartphone is used to function the detector and skim the outcomes, the researchers mentioned.

The detector can deal with as much as 4 samples at a time and would match into an ordinary automobile’s glove compartment, they mentioned.

The accuracy of COVID-19 exams has been a urgent matter all through the pandemic.

Many at-home antigen kits for COVID-19, which detect items of the proteins the virus creates as an alternative of its genetic materials, are 80-85 correct.

The researchers famous that the accuracy of antigen kits might drop with the Omicron variant, which harbours a comparatively excessive variety of mutations not present in different strains.

PCR exams are typically 95 per cent correct or higher however require costly gear and a protracted look forward to outcomes.

Preliminary outcomes present that the Concord package is 97 per cent correct for nasal swabs, in line with the researchers.

The Concord package detects three completely different areas of the virus’ genome. If a brand new variant has many mutations in a single area, the brand new take a look at can nonetheless detect the opposite two, they mentioned.

It may possibly, for instance, detect the Omicron variant, which has dozens of mutations within the area of the genome that encodes the so-called spike protein, the researchers mentioned.

Although exams primarily based on PCR are extremely correct, a key limitation is that PCR exams require dozens of cycles of heating and cooling to detect genetic materials in a pattern.

The brand new take a look at overcomes this difficulty by counting on a way often known as RT-LAMP, which does not have the identical stringent temperature-cycling necessities.

“This take a look at operates at a relentless temperature, so it eliminates the time to warmth and funky and provides ends in about 20 minutes,” mentioned Lutz.

The group spun out a brand new firm, Anavasi Diagnostics, to develop the Concord prototype package right into a product and scale up manufacturing to assist handle the continuing scarcity of COVID-19 diagnostic exams.

Lutz and colleagues hope the kits may very well be initially made accessible to be used in clinics, in addition to different settings resembling workplaces and colleges.

Later, the researchers mentioned they wish to adapt the take a look at for dwelling use.