Rapid and Sensitive Diagnosis of COVID-19 Using an Electricity-Free Self-Testing System
Sheng Li,
Wenlong Guo,
Minmin Xiao,
Yulin Chen,
Xinyi Luo,
Wenfei Xu,
Jianhua Zhou,
Jiasi Wang
Affiliations
Sheng Li
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical Instrument, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
Wenlong Guo
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical Instrument, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
Minmin Xiao
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical Instrument, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
Yulin Chen
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical Instrument, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
Xinyi Luo
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical Instrument, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
Wenfei Xu
Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing 314006, China
Jianhua Zhou
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical Instrument, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
Jiasi Wang
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical Instrument, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
Rapid and sensitive detection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is essential for early diagnosis and effective treatment. Nucleic acid testing has been considered the gold standard method for the diagnosis of COVID-19 for its high sensitivity and specificity. However, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method in the central lab requires expensive equipment and well-trained personnel, which makes it difficult to be used in resource-limited settings. It highlights the need for a sensitive and simple assay that allows potential patients to detect SARS-CoV-2 by themselves. Here, we developed an electricity-free self-testing system based on reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) that allows for rapid and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2. Our system employs a heating bag as the heat source, and a 3D-printed box filled with phase change material (PCM) that successfully regulates the temperature for the RT-LAMP. The colorimetric method could be completed in 40 min and the results could be read out by the naked eye. A ratiometric measurement for exact readout was also incorporated to improve the detection accuracy of the system. This self-testing system is a promising tool for point-of-care testing (POCT) that enables rapid and sensitive diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in the real world and will improve the current COVID-19 screening efforts for control and mitigation of the pandemic.
