Diagnosing COVID-19 in just 30 minutes

Date:
October 5, 2020
Source:
Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)
Summary:
Researchers have developed a one-pot diagnostic method for detecting
pathogenic RNAs with PCR-level sensitivity. Diagnostic technology
for new infectious diseases can be developed within a week to
prevent confusion caused by new epidemics in the future.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
The year 2020 can be summarized simply by one word -- COVID-19 -- as it
was the culprit that froze the entire world. For more than 8 months so
far, movement between nations has been paralyzed all because there are
no means to prevent or treat the virus and the diagnosis takes long.


==========================================================================
In Korea, there are many confirmed cases among those arriving from abroad
but diagnosis does not take place at the airport currently. Overseas
visitors can enter the country if they show no symptoms and must visit
the screening clinic nearest to their site of self-isolation on their
own. Even this, when the clinic closes, they have no choice but to visit
it the next day. Naturally, there have been concerns of them leaving the isolation facilities. What if there was a way to diagnose and identify
the infected patients right at the airport? A joint research team
comprising Professor Jeong Wook Lee and Ph.D. candidate Chang Ha Woo
and Professor Gyoo Yeol Jung and Dr. Sungho Jang of the Department
of Chemical Engineering at POSTECH have together developed a SENSR
(SENsitive Splint-based one-pot isothermal RNA detection) technology
that allows anyone to easily and quickly diagnose COVID-19 based on the
RNA sequence of the virus.

This technology can diagnose infections in just 30 minutes, reducing
the stress on one single testing location and avoiding contact with
infected patients as much as possible. The biggest benefit is that a
diagnostic kit can be developed within week even if a new infectious
disease appears other than COVID-19.

The PCR molecular test currently used for COVID-19 diagnosis has very
high accuracy but entails a complex preparation process to extract or
refine the virus. It is not suitable for use in small farming or fishing villages, or airport or drive-thru screening clinics as it requires
expensive equipment as well as skilled experts.

RNA is a nucleic acid that mediates genetic information or is involved in controlling the expression of genes. The POSTECH researchers designed the
test kit to produce nucleic acid binding reaction to show fluorescence
only when COVID-19 RNA is present. Therefore, the virus can be detected immediately without any preparation process with high sensitivity in a
short time. And it is as accurate as the current PCR diagnostic method.

Using this technology, the research team found the SARS-CoV-2 virus
RNA, the cause of COVID-19, from an actual patient sample in about 30
minutes. In addition, five pathogenic viruses and bacterial RNAs were
detected which proved the kit's usability in detecting pathogens other
than COVID-19.

Another great advantage of the SENSR technology is the ease of creating
the diagnostic device that can be developed into a simple portable and easy-to-use form.

If this method is introduced, it not only allows onsite diagnosis before
going to the screening clinic or being hospitalized, but also allows
for a more proactive response to COVID-19 by supplementing the current centralized diagnostic system.

"This method is a fast and simple diagnostic technology which can
accurately analyze the RNA without having to treat a patient's sample," commented Professor Jeong Wook Lee. "We can better prepare for future
epidemics as we can design and produce a diagnostic kit for new infectious diseases within a week." Professor Gyoo Yeol Jung added, "The fact that pathogenic RNAs can be detected with high accuracy and sensitivity, and
that it can be diagnosed on the spot is drawing attention from academia
as well as industry circles." He explained, "We hope to contribute to
our response to COVID-19 by enhancing the current testing system.

The study, which was published in Nature Biomedical Engineering on
September 18 (KST), was conducted with the support from the National
Research Foundation's C1 Gas Refinery Program and New Research Program,
and by the Industry Specialist Training Program from the Korea Institute
of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Pohang_University_of_Science_&_Technology_(POSTECH).

Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Chang Ha Woo, Sungho Jang, Giyoung Shin, Gyoo Yeol Jung, Jeong
Wook Lee.

Sensitive fluorescence detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in clinical
samples via one-pot isothermal ligation and transcription. Nature
Biomedical Engineering, 2020; DOI: 10.1038/s41551-020-00617-5 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201005101536.htm

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