A new rapid virus diagnosis device, based on ‘lab on a chip’ technology, has been developed by engineers at the University of Bath. The device, named LoCKAmp, can deliver COVID-19 test results in three minutes, employing a method known as reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). In contrast to PCR tests, which require multiple thermal cycles, the RT-LAMP technique used in the LoCKAmp device amplifies RNA at a steady temperature at 65 degrees. This allows for a quicker and potentially more sensitive testing process.
The technology utilizes common printed circuit board (PCB) production methods to create a miniaturized ‘lab-on-PCB’ that can detect the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus through the LAMP process. This innovative approach does not require any preliminary processing of the sample. The device heats the RNA in the nasal swab sample using microfluidic channels and copper heaters on a PCB. A positive result is indicated by a fluorescent signal when the virus’s RNA is detected.
Equipped with a mass-produced PCB chip that includes low-cost fluorescent detection circuitry, the LoCKAmp device also has applications in environmental monitoring, such as testing for the presence of viruses in wastewater. The technology has the potential to be modified for the detection of other infectious agents and various medical conditions, including cancer, providing a versatile tool for rapid diagnostics.
Ref: Papamatthaiou S, Boxall-Clasby J, Douglas EJA, et al. LoCKAmp: lab-on-PCB technology for less than 3-minute virus genetic detection. Lab on a Chip. 2023;23(20):4400–4412. doi: https://doi.org/10.1039/D3LC00441D