Abstract

Paper-based POC Molecular Test for Bloodborne Viral Pathogens and Application to SARS-COV-2 Home Test

Jonathan D Posner, Professor of Mechanical Engineering & Chemical Engineering, University of Washington

Simple, self-administered molecular tests for bloodborne viruses remains a significant challenge due to the numerous sample preparation challenges and low detection limits required for viral pathogens. Here we describe a paper membrane based NAAT with integrated sample preparation and amplification using isotachophoresis and recombinase polymerase amplification.  We discuss the challenges of detecting RNA targets in blood and alternative sample preparation strategies that can be integrated onto paper substrates. We demonstrate our POC viral diagnostic on HIV-1 virus in whole blood and present recent work on the development of a home-based COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test.