Abstract

Next Generation Point-of-Care Quantitative Molecular Tests For Blood-borne Viral Pathogens

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

Simple, self-administered molecular tests for blood-borne viruses remains a significant challenge due to the numerous sample preparation challenges, low detection limits required for viral pathogens, and difficulty in rapid quantification. Here we describe a paper membrane based NAAT with integrated sample preparation and amplification using recombinase polymerase amplification.  We quantify RNA using amplification nucleation site counting on paper membranes, a novel, rapid, and inexpensive analog to digital droplet isothermal 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 and hepatitis C in whole blood.