COVID_19-SCI Project
Nº Project: 6 (Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana Num. 879_20.04.2020)
Title: Biosensing photonics platform for a precise, easy, fast and cheap SARS-CoV-2 virus diagnostic
COVID19 project main objective is the implementation of a simultaneous detection system for SARS-CoV-2 virus and IgG/IgM antibodies to be performed on the same photonic chip. Obtained information from that double detection will be of enormous interest for disease diagnostic and pandemic monitoring.
Within the scope of COVID19 project it is expected the detection of both types of analytes employing real samples obtained from Hospitals. The employed photonic chips are provided by NTC-MICRONANOFABS and they are chemically modified by LUMENSIA SENSORS. Photonic measurements are performed by means of a laboratory set-up. This will be considered as a proof of concept as a previous step before product industrialization.
COVID19 project allows a new strategic situation. Photonic chip design, whole value chain and 100% local technology against current situation where the dependence of foreign production is complete.
Lumensia would like to stablish strategic capacities for manufacturing their own detection test against current threats (COVID19) and the emerging ones that could come in the future, establishing a fast production of new photonic detection tests in few weeks if necessary. This will allow making provisions of a minimal critical stock of disposable cartridges and detection platforms to be ready for a rapid deployment against a new crisis since current tests and devices manufacturing is 100% foreigner.
What COVID19 project brings up in a medium period (1 year) is to change current situation to a 100% local production based in Valencia /Spain.
As a result of the activities carried out in this project, the following results have been obtained:
COVID_19-SCI project results:
1.-Clinical Validation performed in collaboration with Hospital Clínico Valencia
The original proposal of this project was the simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2 and its specific antibodies (IgG/IgM) on the same photonic chip. Despite final implementation allowed the achievement of very good results on both cases, they must be carried out on separated measurements.
- SARS-CoV-2 detection
It has been successfully reached by a doble determination. Spike protein trimeric (S1, S2 and RBD subunits) and Nucleoprotein detection, each analyte on each microfluidic channel on the same photonic chip.
This PIC configuration provided comparable results on virus detection in terms of sensitivity when compared with RT-PCR. Besides, photonic technology has demonstrated being a faster analysis method compared with RT-PCR (20min vs 2hours).
- IgG/IgM specific for SARS-CoV-2 detection
Is has been successfully reached. Each type of immunoglobulin was detected on each microfluidic channel on the same photonic chip.
This PIC configuration provided good response on immunoglobulin levels detection, especially in the case of specific IgGs.
2.-Alternative proposals for COVID_19-SCI project continuation
Lumensia Sensors has proposed alternative biosensor configurations for new applications beyond COVID_19-SCI project.
- Detection of neutralizing antibodies formation in COVID19 patients
This application can be reached by a doble determination. Spike protein trimeric (S1, S2 and RBD subunits) and RBD subunit detection, each analyte on each microfluidic channel on the same photonic chip.
- Simultaneous determination of SARS-CoV-2 infection and reached infection degree by means of immunoglobulin levels detection. Both measured in the same type of sample (saliva)
This application can be reached by a doble determination. Nucleoprotein and IgG/IgA specific for SARS-CoV-2 detection on the same microfluidic channel on the same photonic chip
- Simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2 and some other virus (like Influenza A and B, SARS-CoV and MERS…)
This application can provide a fast and precise diagnostic on primary care. It could be employed as a screening analysis method.