COVID-19 detection using smartphone camera developed; takes less than 30 minutes

Scientists have developed a new techlogy for conducting COVID-19 diagstic test that uses a smartphone camera to provide accurate results in under 30 minutes. CRISPR-based test can t only generate a positive or negative result and also measures concentration of virus in a given sample.

All or CRISPR diagstics require viral RNA to be converted to DNA and amplified before detection, ding time and complexity to process. But new approach skips all conversion and amplification steps, using CRISPR to directly detect viral RNA, researchers said.

'One reason we are excited about CRISPR-based diagstics is potential for quick, accurate results at point of need,' said Jennifer Doudna, a senior investigator at Glstone Institutes in US.

'This is especially helpful in places with limited access to testing, or when frequent, rapid testing is needed. It could eliminate a lot of bottlenecks we've seen with COVID-19,' she said.

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How does it work?

In latest test, Cas13 protein is combined with a reporter molecule that becomes fluorescent when cut, and n mixed with a patient sample from a nasal swab, researchers said. sample is placed in a device that is attached to a smartphone. If sample contains RNA from SARS-CoV-2, Cas13 will be activated and will cut reporter molecule, thus emitting a fluorescent signal, y said. According to researchers smartphone camera, converted into a microscope, can detect fluorescence and report that a swab has tested positive for virus.

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procedure could be applied to a variety of mobile phones, making test easily accessible. Upon testing device using patient samples, researchers confirmed that it could provide very fast results for samples with a clinically relevant concentration of virus.

research found that device accurately detected a set of positive samples within five minutes. For samples with a concentration of virus, device required up to 30 minutes to determine result.

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(With inputs from PTI | Im credits: Unsplash)