nano-PCR
A method of high-speed nanoPCR diagnostics of COVID-19 has been developed
Korean scientists have developed a PCR testing technology that allows you to accurately diagnose COVID-19 in less than 20 minutes directly on the spot. The description is given in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering (Cheong et al., Fast detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA via the integration of plasmonic thermocycling and fluorescence detection in a portable device).
Its main element is a magnetoplasmic nanoparticle (MPN), which consists of a magnetic material in the core and a golden shell, exhibits plasmonic properties – the ability to convert light energy into heat. This effect helps to reduce the PCR thermal cycling stage from 1-2 hours to 11 minutes.
Drawings from the press release of the Institute for Basic Science Development of high-speed nanoPCR technology for point-of-care diagnosis of COVID-19 – VM.
In addition, the strong magnetic properties of MPN allow an external magnetic field to purify MPN from the solution to provide fluorescent detection of amplified genes. The sensitivity of the nanoPCR test is even higher than that of RT-PCR. It is able to detect a very small number of virus RNA genes – about 3 copies per microliter.
The researchers tested the new method in a clinical setting at the Jeongnam National University Hospital. Out of 150 samples, the device accurately diagnosed 75 positive and 75 negative. At the same time, there were no false negative or false positive results.
In addition to high reliability, the entire diagnostic process was much faster than with RT-PCR – on average, it took about 17 minutes to diagnose one sample. The authors note that the performance of the device can be further increased by equipping it with a wheel for simultaneous loading of several samples.
The size of the analytical unit is only 15 × 15 × 18 centimeters, and the weight is three kilograms. Such a portable device, according to scientists, can be used for rapid testing of patients in a decentralized mode.
"By improving and miniaturizing the technology, we have shown that it is possible to perform PCR–based diagnostics even in the field," the head of the study, Jinwoo Cheon, director of the IBS Nanomedicine Center, is quoted in a press release from the Institute of Fundamental Sciences (IBS) in Seoul.
Currently, scientists are finalizing the device to start its production.
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