A HiPAD Integrated with rGO/MWCNTs Nano‐Circuit Heater for Visual Point‐of‐Care Testing of SARS‐CoV‐2

Abstract

Nowadays, the main obstacle for further miniaturization and integration of nucleic acids point‐of‐care testing devices is the lack of low‐cost and high‐performance heating materials for supporting reliable nucleic acids amplification. Herein, reduced graphene oxide hybridized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes nano‐circuit integrated into an ingenious paper‐based heater is developed, which is integrated into a paper‐based analytical device (named HiPAD). The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is still raging across the world. As a proof of concept, the HiPAD is utilized to visually detect the SARS‐CoV‐2 N gene using colored loop‐mediated isothermal amplification reaction. This HiPAD costing a few dollars has comparable detection performance to traditional nucleic acids amplifier costing thousands of dollars. The detection range is from 25 to 2.5 × 1010 copies mL−1 in 45 min. The detection limit of 25 copies mL−1 is 40 times more sensitive than 1000 copies mL−1 in conventional real‐time PCR instruments. The disposable paper‐based chip could also avoid potential secondary transmission of COVID‐19 by convenient incineration to guarantee biosafety. The HiPAD or easily expanded M‐HiPAD (for multiplex detection) has great potential for pathogen diagnostics in resource‐limited settings.

Comparison of the Prevalence of Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in 9954 Recruits in the Korean Army Training Center with the General Korean Population of Equivalent Age Between September and November, 2020

“…Also, we tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using several kits selected by Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine and Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency during spring of 2020. Several diagnostic measures have been developed since, with similar or better results [ 21 – 23 ]. Some include cost-efficient, faster detection methods, with some giving results within 45 min [ 23 ].…”

“…Several diagnostic measures have been developed since, with similar or better results [ 21 – 23 ]. Some include cost-efficient, faster detection methods, with some giving results within 45 min [ 23 ]. However, the current study was designed as a national project, with some studies started in spring of 2020.…”

Multifunctional carbon nanomaterials for diagnostic applications in infectious diseases and tumors

“…Furthermore, graphene has been extensively studied in electrochemistry since it has a carrier mobility of approximately 15,000 cm 2 /(V·s) (room temperature), exceeding the carrier mobility of silicon materials by a factor of 10 [ 50 ]. Moreover, graphene has an excellent thermal conductivity and optical properties [ 51 , 52 ], enabling the applications in biomedical fields.…”

CRISPR-Cas13a cascade-based viral RNA assay for detecting SARS-CoV-2 and its mutations in clinical samples

“…In addition, SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged and caused higher transmission rates and stronger immune-escape responses [3] , [4] , [5] . Currently, RT-qPCR performed on nasopharyngeal and/or oropharyngeal swabs, remains the mainstream approach for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] . While it is sensitive and accurate, it requires well-trained personnel, highly purified samples, as well as expensive equipment such as a thermocycler, which limits its application in the under-equipped laboratories.…”