Paper-Based Diagnostic Device Detects Infectious Diseases In 10 Minutes

Infectious disease diagnosis often requires expensive and complex lab equipment, skilled personnel, and significant time, all of which can be barriers to effective outbreak response in low-resource settings. To address these challenges, scientists have developed a breakthrough paper-based diagnostic device that can detect COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in under 10 minutes, without the need for sophisticated lab equipment or trained personnel.

The Radially Compartmentalized Paper Chip (RCP-Chip), developed by a team of scientists at NYU Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi, UAE), offers a fast, affordable, and portable solution for on-site screening. The RCP-Chip was conceived during the early COVID-19 lockdowns and was developed to detect even minute traces of viral genetic material. It operates without the need for electricity or specialized equipment, requiring only a source of mild heat (around 65°C, similar to warm water).

The chip is made from a single sheet of paper, incorporating miniature components such as sample ports, vents, fluidic resistors, and reaction chambers pre-loaded with primers, enzymes, and gold nanoparticles to facilitate the detection process. In their research published in Advanced Sensor Research, the team has detailed the development and validation of the RCP-Chip. The device functions as a rapid, multiplexed diagnostic platform that allows for the detection of multiple infectious diseases, making it particularly useful for low-resource settings.

The RCP-Chip’s ability to detect SARS-CoV-2 genetic targets in under 10 minutes has been validated in tests, and the device’s effectiveness was demonstrated through its ability to perform multiplexed testing, detecting multiple gene targets in a single run, which increases efficiency while reducing sample volume and cost. The RCP-Chip can be reconfigured to detect a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and others, across various sample types such as saliva, blood, and environmental sources.

The device's compact, user-friendly design makes it a powerful tool for field deployment, especially in regions lacking access to traditional diagnostic laboratories. Looking forward, the research team aims to enhance the chip’s plasmonic detection capabilities and expand its use for point-of-care applications. They also plan to explore smartphone connectivity for real-time data sharing and outbreak tracking, further increasing the device’s utility in public health surveillance.

“This is a fast, affordable, lab-free test that detects multiple gene targets in under 10 minutes,” said Pavithra Sukumar, NYUAD Research Assistant and co-first author of the study. “What makes it truly impactful is its real-world potential. This portable test could significantly improve outbreak response by enabling faster isolation, treatment, and control.”

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NYU Abu Dhabi