The objective of this project is to develop a point-of-contact molecular diagnostic technology (test) for multi-plexed detection of a coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza virus. While a point-of-care diagnostic might beperformed in a period of 10-20 minutes in a clinical setting, we envision a point-of-contact test being performedabout 10 times faster and before someone passes through a door, checkpoint, airport gate, or border. We haveidentified a strategy for performing PCR that uses a new format to speed thermal cycling while achieving ap-proximately 1,000,000-fold sample partitioning to accelerate sample preparation, without micro-patterning ormicrofluidics. As described below, we have already established critical strategies for the project including (1)rapid, uniform cycling using optical heating; (2) large scale sample partitioning; and (3) a one-step lysis/RT-PCR assay for enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19). This project will provide the basis for a multiplexed point-of-contact diagnostic that can be performed in aslittle as 2 minutes and at a cost as low as $2/test for Bill of Material (BOM) consumables. When available, thisdiagnostic platform could be used routinely for detecting hidden spreaders of disease at, e.g., airports, en-trances to hospitals, or at long-term care facilities. Availability of the diagnostic would be transformative. Be-cause of its speed and low cost, the platform could provide the first point-of-contact molecular diagnostic fordiseases such as COVID-19, which could detect asymptomatic spreaders, e.g., as they embark or disembarkat airports. Rapid deployment of the test at borders or entry points could prevent disease from spreading be-yond an initial outbreak. Similarly, the test could be used to screen employees when they arrive to work athealth care facilities to protect patients and essential workers. Finally, the test could be used for routinescreening at large facilities such as factories, food processing or distribution facilities, and large governmentbuildings, reducing the economic impact of a addressing a viral pandemic such as COVID-19.
Public Health Relevance Statement: PROJECT NARRATIVE
Because of rapid results and low cost, this new diagnostic could avoid unnecessary morbidity and mortality
from pandemics produced by enveloped viruses. The diagnostic could be used in, e.g., hospitals, long-term
care facilities, and prisons to stop infected but asymptomatic employees or visitors from entering these facili-
ties. Similarly, the test could be used to improve the safety of employees reporting to work at factories; food
processing and distribution centers; and large government buildings. Finally, this diagnostic platform could pre-
vent future enveloped virus diseases such as COVID-19 from leaving the initial outbreak and becoming a pan-
demic.
Project Terms: 