New COVID-19 Test Uses Nanotube-Based Electrochemical Biosensor for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in 30 Seconds
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 16 Oct 2020 |
|
Image: Testing a nanotube-based electrochemical biosensor (Photo courtesy of University of Nevada)
A new COVID-19 rapid test that uses a nanotube-based electrochemical biosensor has shown successful lab results by detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus in about 30 seconds.
Engineers and virologists at the University of Nevada (Reno, NV, USA) have teamed up to develop a novel COVID-19 testing approach based on a similar technology used in the past for detecting tuberculosis and colorectal cancer as well as detection of biomarkers for food safety. Using their expertise in detecting a specific biomarker in the breath of tuberculosis patients using a metal functionalized nano sensor, the researchers have developed a SARS-CoV-2 test that does not require a blood sample and is run using a nasal swab or even exhaled breath, which has biomarkers of COVID-19. The developed approach also has the potential for diagnosis of other respiratory viral diseases by identifying appropriate metallic elements to functionalize nanotubes.
The researchers first synthesized and prepared the antigenic protein of COVID-19 virus in their laboratory, SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain protein, for the preliminary testing and determining the sensitivity of the nano sensor. The team developed co-metal functionalized nanotubes as a sensing material for electrochemical detection of the protein. They confirmed the biosensor’s potential for clinical application by directly analyzing the RBD of the Spike glycoprotein on the sensor. The team now plans to move to the next step of sensor validation on the actual COVID-19 patients swabs stored in the Viral Transport Medium (VTM) and have applied for funding to develop a specific and inexpensive point-of-care sensor for a rapid detection of COVID-19 virus in saliva or breath of infected individuals.
“This is Point of Care testing to assess the exposure to COVID-19. We do not need a laboratory setting or trained health care workers to administer the test. Electrochemical biosensors are advantageous for sensing purposes as they are sensitive, accurate and simple,” said Professor Misra, in the University’s College of Engineering Chemical and Materials Department.
Related Links:
University of Nevada
Engineers and virologists at the University of Nevada (Reno, NV, USA) have teamed up to develop a novel COVID-19 testing approach based on a similar technology used in the past for detecting tuberculosis and colorectal cancer as well as detection of biomarkers for food safety. Using their expertise in detecting a specific biomarker in the breath of tuberculosis patients using a metal functionalized nano sensor, the researchers have developed a SARS-CoV-2 test that does not require a blood sample and is run using a nasal swab or even exhaled breath, which has biomarkers of COVID-19. The developed approach also has the potential for diagnosis of other respiratory viral diseases by identifying appropriate metallic elements to functionalize nanotubes.
The researchers first synthesized and prepared the antigenic protein of COVID-19 virus in their laboratory, SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain protein, for the preliminary testing and determining the sensitivity of the nano sensor. The team developed co-metal functionalized nanotubes as a sensing material for electrochemical detection of the protein. They confirmed the biosensor’s potential for clinical application by directly analyzing the RBD of the Spike glycoprotein on the sensor. The team now plans to move to the next step of sensor validation on the actual COVID-19 patients swabs stored in the Viral Transport Medium (VTM) and have applied for funding to develop a specific and inexpensive point-of-care sensor for a rapid detection of COVID-19 virus in saliva or breath of infected individuals.
“This is Point of Care testing to assess the exposure to COVID-19. We do not need a laboratory setting or trained health care workers to administer the test. Electrochemical biosensors are advantageous for sensing purposes as they are sensitive, accurate and simple,” said Professor Misra, in the University’s College of Engineering Chemical and Materials Department.
Related Links:
University of Nevada
Gold Member
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Sample-To-Answer Test
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Cartridge (CE-IVD)
Capillary Blood Collection Tube
IMPROMINI M3
Automatic Hematology Analyzer
DH-800 Series
Latest COVID-19 News
- New Immunosensor Paves Way to Rapid POC Testing for COVID-19 and Emerging Infectious Diseases
- Long COVID Etiologies Found in Acute Infection Blood Samples
- Novel Device Detects COVID-19 Antibodies in Five Minutes
- CRISPR-Powered COVID-19 Test Detects SARS-CoV-2 in 30 Minutes Using Gene Scissors
- Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis Linked to COVID-19
- Novel SARS CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test Validated for Diagnostic Accuracy
- New COVID + Flu + R.S.V. Test to Help Prepare for `Tripledemic`
- AI Takes Guesswork Out Of Lateral Flow Testing
- Fastest Ever SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test Designed for Non-Invasive COVID-19 Testing in Any Setting
- Rapid Antigen Tests Detect Omicron, Delta SARS-CoV-2 Variants
- Health Care Professionals Showed Increased Interest in POC Technologies During Pandemic, Finds Study
- Set Up Reserve Lab Capacity Now for Faster Response to Next Pandemic, Say Researchers
- Blood Test Performed During Initial Infection Predicts Long COVID Risk
- Low-Cost COVID-19 Testing Platform Combines Sensitivity of PCR and Speed of Antigen Tests
- Finger-Prick Blood Test Identifies Immunity to COVID-19
- Quick Test Kit Determines Immunity Against COVID-19 and Its Variants
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Compact Raman Imaging System Detects Subtle Tumor Signals
Accurate cancer diagnosis often depends on labor-intensive tissue staining and expert pathological review, which can delay results and limit access to rapid screening. These conventional methods also make... Read more
Noninvasive Blood-Glucose Monitoring to Replace Finger Pricks for Diabetics
People with diabetes often need to measure their blood glucose multiple times a day, most commonly through finger-prick blood tests or implanted sensors. These methods can be painful, inconvenient, and... Read more
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
Urine Test Could Reveal Real Age and Life Span
Chronological age does not always reflect how quickly the body is aging, as biological age is shaped by genetics, stress, sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle factors such as smoking. A higher biological age... Read more
Genomic Test Identifies African Americans at Risk for Early Prostate Cancer Recurrence
Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men and a leading cause of cancer-related death, particularly in the United States. African American men face a disproportionately higher... Read more
Hematology
view channel
MRD Tests Could Predict Survival in Leukemia Patients
Acute myeloid leukemia is an aggressive blood cancer that disrupts normal blood cell production and often relapses even after intensive treatment. Clinicians currently lack early, reliable markers to predict... Read more
Platelet Activity Blood Test in Middle Age Could Identify Early Alzheimer’s Risk
Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease remains one of the biggest unmet needs in neurology, particularly because the biological changes underlying the disorder begin decades before memory symptoms appear.... Read more
Microvesicles Measurement Could Detect Vascular Injury in Sickle Cell Disease Patients
Assessing disease severity in sickle cell disease (SCD) remains challenging, especially when trying to predict hemolysis, vascular injury, and risk of complications such as vaso-occlusive crises.... Read more
ADLM’s New Coagulation Testing Guidance to Improve Care for Patients on Blood Thinners
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are one of the most common types of blood thinners. Patients take them to prevent a host of complications that could arise from blood clotting, including stroke, deep... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Ultrasensitive Liquid Biopsy Demonstrates Efficacy in Predicting Immunotherapy Response
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, but only a small proportion of patients experience lasting benefit, with response rates often remaining between 10% and 20%. Clinicians currently lack reliable... Read more
Blood Test Could Identify Colon Cancer Patients to Benefit from NSAIDs
Colon cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related illness, with many patients facing relapse even after surgery and chemotherapy. Up to 40% of people with stage III disease experience recurrence, highlighting... Read more
Microbiology
view channel
New UTI Diagnosis Method Delivers Antibiotic Resistance Results 24 Hours Earlier
Urinary tract infections affect around 152 million people every year, making them one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide. In routine medical practice, diagnosis often relies on rapid urine... Read more
Breakthroughs in Microbial Analysis to Enhance Disease Prediction
Microorganisms shape human health, ecosystems, and the planet’s climate, yet identifying them and understanding how they are related remains a major scientific challenge. Even with modern DNA sequencing,... Read more
Pathology
view channel
Genetics and AI Improve Diagnosis of Aortic Stenosis
Aortic stenosis is a progressive narrowing of the aortic valve that restricts blood flow from the heart and can be fatal if left untreated. There are currently no medical therapies that can prevent or... Read more
AI Tool Simultaneously Identifies Genetic Mutations and Disease Type
Interpreting genetic test results remains a major challenge in modern medicine, particularly for rare and complex diseases. While existing tools can indicate whether a genetic mutation is harmful, they... Read more
Rapid Low-Cost Tests Can Prevent Child Deaths from Contaminated Medicinal Syrups
Medicinal syrups contaminated with toxic chemicals have caused the deaths of hundreds of children worldwide, exposing a critical gap in how these products are tested before reaching patients.... Read more
Tumor Signals in Saliva and Blood Enable Non-Invasive Monitoring of Head and Neck Cancer
Head and neck cancers are among the most aggressive malignancies worldwide, with nearly 900,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Monitoring these cancers for recurrence or relapse typically relies on tissue... Read moreTechnology
view channel
Pioneering Blood Test Detects Lung Cancer Using Infrared Imaging
Detecting cancer early and tracking how it responds to treatment remains a major challenge, particularly when cancer cells are present in extremely low numbers in the bloodstream. Circulating tumor cells... Read more
AI Predicts Colorectal Cancer Survival Using Clinical and Molecular Features
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide, and accurately predicting patient survival remains a major clinical challenge. Traditional prognostic tools often rely on either... Read more
Industry
view channel
BD and Penn Institute Collaborate to Advance Immunotherapy through Flow Cytometry
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Institute for Immunology and Immune Health (I3H, Philadelphia, PA, USA) at the University... Read more
