LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Biomarker Detection Platform Configured with MRI System Can Rapidly Screen 100,000 Samples per Day for SARS-CoV-2

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 23 Dec 2020
Print article
Illustration
Illustration
A breakthrough biomarker detection technology can rapidly detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus and screen more than 100,000 patient specimens per day using standard MRI systems available in hospitals.

Menon Biosensors, Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA) has developed an advanced system and method for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The system, known as Molecular Mirror, is a detection technique that produces 100% accurate results within 30 minutes of bacterial and viral pathogens tests that at scale could be capable of testing upwards of 100,000 patients per day.

The Molecular Mirror assay achieves high sensitivity and specificity by use of magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with target-specific biomarkers that bind to specific regions of a pathogen's genome. The sample, with bound nanoparticles, is then processed to produce a change in its magnetic properties, specifically the "spin-spin relaxation time," thus producing a signal in the presence of the target of interest, in this case detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This test can be conducted within any MRI machine in the world. The Molecular Mirror assay has achieved 100% detection with no false positives in multiple double-blind tests.

"The Molecular Mirror is a novel, minimal-cost detection platform that enables rapid visualization of an invisible enemy: the SARS-CoV-2 virus. All equipment required for the protocol is readily available in hospital settings. The platform can screen more than 100,000 patient specimens per day per MRI unit. The sensitivity is currently less than 100 viral copies per reaction with 100% specificity. Although technology is currently used in vitro, future application could involve in vivo scanning for various viral and bacterial pathogens," said Dr. Suresh Menon, Founder and President of Menon. "By utilizing existing collection stations and MRI facilities, we could screen the entire population of the US within a day for active cases."

Related Links:
Menon Biosensors, Inc.

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
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)

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The 3D printed miniature ionizer is a key component of a mass spectrometer (Photo courtesy of MIT)

3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models

Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The CAPILLARYS 3 DBS devices have received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Sebia)

Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns

Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The AI predictive model identifies the most potent cancer killing immune cells for use in immunotherapies (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

AI Predicts Tumor-Killing Cells with High Accuracy

Cellular immunotherapy involves extracting immune cells from a patient's tumor, potentially enhancing their cancer-fighting capabilities through engineering, and then expanding and reintroducing them into the body.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The T-SPOT.TB test is now paired with the Auto-Pure 2400 liquid handling platform for accurate TB testing (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Integrated Solution Ushers New Era of Automated Tuberculosis Testing

Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for 1.3 million deaths every year, positioning it as one of the top killers globally due to a single infectious agent. In 2022, around 10.6 million people were diagnosed... Read more