TESTING DEVICES

TESTING DEVICES

Researchers at UCSF have developed new methods and a device for at home disease testing.

At home testing for SARS-CoV2 using lateral flow technology has been integral to pandemic containment efforts across the globe. Lateral flow diagnostics in general are widely available in point-of-care settings, such as for viral or bacterial infections, or for purchase, such as for pregnancy testing. However, lateral flow assays rely heavily on antigen concentrations in patient samples and are often less accurate than other diagnostic methods. PCR and other direct nucleic acid detection assays are often more accurate but require extensive specialized equipment that has not yet been adapted to an at-home setting. Furthermore, lateral flow assays are limited by their throughput as they have not yet been developed to detect more than one antigen or disease at once.

Stage of Research

The inventors have established a new method of molecular testing using a new device to identify one or more target molecules of interest. These tests represent a major step forward by combining the accuracy of nucleic acid detection methods with the portability and cost effectiveness of lateral flow assays. Briefly, the device contains a reagent fluidic line and a sample fluidic line. A pump is then able to fluidically couple the reagent lines and sample lines, allowing for a molecular reaction to occur between a diagnostic indicator and molecules present in the sample. Nasopharyngeal swabs, nasal swabs, throat swabs, and saliva samples are all compatible with this device. This method is compatible with both loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and PCR methodologies. Taken together, this invention comprises a solution to a major unmet need for disease testing that is low cost, portable, and highly accurate.

Applications