COVID-19 LAMP Test
In response to the dire need for accessible diagnostic testing early in the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked with a group of independent researchers to develop an open-source diagnostic test based on Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP). Our test used saliva as a minimally-invasive sample type collected via a commercially collection kit from DNAGenotek. We then adapted a nucleic isolation process used for DNA to work well with RNA that doesn’t require a centrifuge. The LAMP assay itself is based on NEB’s colorimetric LAMP kit which allows for easy visual readout using a colorimetric indicator. The time from collection to result can be as little as an hour with high specificty and sensitivity.
![Overview of results from a from the One Hour COVID test showing accuracy.](/assets/project-assets/covid_test-2021/covid_test_results.jpg)
![Overview of the One Hour COVID test](/assets/project-assets/covid_test-2021/covid_test_flow.jpg)
![Example of temperature screening experiment to determine optimal assay conditions.](/assets/project-assets/covid_test-2021/covid_test_tscreen.jpg)
In addition to the colorimetric LAMP assay, we explored the use of the QUASR-LAMP technique and developed a multiplex version shown in the banner image that can detect SARS-CoV-2 (green) and a human beta-actin internal control (red) at the same time. In combination, a result with both would result in a yellow fluorescent read-out.
A link to the manuscript describing our colorimetric test is avaiable in the resources section to the left.