U01AA029316

Touchscreen-compatible, real-time electrochemical sensing of SARS-CoV-2 - Project Summary

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the cause of the COVID-19 global pandemic, is efficiently spread and has reached over 27 million confirmed cases as of September 8, 2020. There is therefore an urgent need for new technologies that can provide early detection of virus, reducing the transmission and infection rate.

The goal of this proposal is to develop an integrated biosensor-touchscreen that sensitivity reports surface contact with SARS-CoV-2. In our preliminary work, we have identified several aptamers that bind specifically to the envelope-anchored trimeric spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2, but not of SARS-CoV or MERS.

In comparison to antibodies, aptamers are synthetic molecules that are more thermally stable and lower cost while providing similar specificity and affinity of target binding. In this application, we propose to integrate aptamer-based biosensing of SARS-CoV-2 into a touchscreen device.

Our main objectives are to 1) engineer conformation switching aptamers for electrochemical sensing of SARS-CoV-2 binding, 2) develop nanogap capacitive sensors as a uniquely complementary approach to capacitive touchscreen technology, and 3) build and test an integrated biosensor and touchscreen array that can detect SARS-CoV-2 from patient samples.

Successful completion of these aims will result in a novel automatic sensing platform for SARS-CoV-2. This technology could transform personal device touchscreens as well as multi-user touchscreen devices in hospitals, airports, libraries, restaurants, for early detection, curbing transmission rates from secondary exposure.

Importantly, the developed technology could be adapted for other electronic sensing platforms, and easily applied for future pathogen detection.

University Of Washington

NOT APPLICABLE

93.360 - Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Biodefense Medical Countermeasure Development

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) [HHS - NIH]

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) [HHS - NIH]

Seattle, Washington 98195 United States

Single Zip Code

Emergency Awards: Automatic Detection and Tracing of SARS-CoV-2 (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (RFA-OD-20-014)

COVID-19 $455,938 (49%) percent of this Cooperative Agreement was funded by COVID-19 emergency acts including the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 11/30/22 to 11/30/23 and the total obligations have increased 98% from $466,500 to $922,438.