Lab-on-smartphone with optical interface for rapid multiplex in-field testing of COVID-19

具有光学接口的智能手机实验室，用于快速多重现场测试 COVID-19

• 批准号: 555157-2020
• 负责人: Mahshid, Sara
• 金额: $ 3.64万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=705776
• 关键词: Lab; smartphone; optical; interface; rapid

Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, over 5,800,000 confirmed cases and 360,000 deaths have been identified. The shortage of approved diagnostics tests in hospitals particularly in rural areas, have limited the access of individuals to diagnostic tests. We gather a team of experts at McGill University and Nikon Canada Inc. to develop a portable and cost-effective diagnostics platform for detection of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus causing COVID-19) with capability of rapid implementation in remote-locations and rural areas. Our team has already begun development of a prototype for testing of SARS-CoV-2 RNA via a novel colorimetric assay in a quantifiable multiplex fashion. Here, we implement our novel colorimetric fluidic device for portable multiplex testing of SARS-CoV-2 in minutes and interpretation of the test results with the help of a smartphone (data acquisition system). Our aim is to provide easy access to the results of diagnostics in remote locations and avoid overloading hospitals and lab facilities. With the support from Nikon (in-kind contribution), we will develop a portable and miniaturized imaging box composed of our novel colorimetric fluidic device and optical components capable of holding to smartphones, independent from their model (Aim1). We will then implement this portable and multiplex approach for testing SARS-CoV-2 from swab samples in a non-clinical simulated environment (Aim2). Mahshid Lab in the Department of Bioengineering, has already received all necessary protocols and McGill EHS approval "Use Biohazardous Materials" to work with SARS-CoV-2. Finally, we will develop a smartphone application (Android studio) for easing data interpretation and analysing the colorimetric data (color images) into reading signals (Aim3). Based on the availability of smartphones, being able to use these smart devices will put less pressure on the healthcare system and reduce the need for bulky computers especially for in-field testing or in rural areas. The potential to increase COVID-19 testing rate at a low cost will benefit the Canadian health system during the current pandemic and help prevent similar pandemics in the future.

自 COVID-19 大流行开始以来，已确定超过 5,800,000 例确诊病例和 360,000 例死亡。医院（尤其是农村地区）缺乏经批准的诊断测试，限制了个人获得诊断测试的机会。我们聚集了麦吉尔大学和尼康加拿大公司的专家团队，开发一种便携式且经济高效的诊断平台，用于检测 SARS-CoV-2（引起 COVID-19 的病毒），并能够在偏远地区和地区快速实施农村地区。我们的团队已经开始开发原型，用于通过新型比色测定以可量化的多重方式测试 SARS-CoV-2 RNA。在这里，我们实施了新型比色流体设备，可在几分钟内对 SARS-CoV-2 进行便携式多重测试，并在智能手机（数据采集系统）的帮助下解释测试结果。我们的目标是在偏远地区提供轻松获取诊断结果的服务，并避免医院和实验室设施超载。在尼康（实物捐助）的支持下，我们将开发一种便携式小型成像盒，由我们新颖的比色流体设备和光学元件组成，能够固定在智能手机上，而不受其型号的影响（Aim1）。然后，我们将实施这种便携式多重方法，在非临床模拟环境中从拭子样本中检测 SARS-CoV-2（目标2）。生物工程系的 Mahshid 实验室已收到所有必要的协议和麦吉尔 EHS 批准“使用生物危害材料”来处理 SARS-CoV-2。最后，我们将开发一个智能手机应用程序（Android studio），用于简化数据解释并将比色数据（彩色图像）分析为读取信号（Aim3）。基于智能手机的可用性，能够使用这些智能设备将减轻医疗保健系统的压力，并减少对笨重计算机的需求，特别是在现场测试或农村地区。以低成本提高 COVID-19 检测率的潜力将使加拿大卫生系统在当前大流行期间受益，并有助于预防未来类似的大流行。