A 15-minute molecular test for coronavirus
New ultra-fast test for detecting SARS-CoV-2 virus is expected to be ready for validation by the end of this year. The Scope Fluidics, whose co-founder and CEO is Prof. Piotr Garstecki from the PAS Institute of Physical Chemistry, is working on it.
The rapid test will be based on the universal PCR|ONE molecular diagnostic system created by Scope Fluidics. This device detects both bacteria and viruses. Samples are tested automatically with results available within 15 minutes. At the end of 2019, this platform was among the seven most groundbreaking diagnostic products in the world selected in the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) competition.
Until now, the system was used to detect hospital-acquired infections, such as staph infections caused by staphylococcus bacteria. Scientists from Scope Fluidics want to exploit the potential of the system and use it in SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, the way real-time PCR molecular tests track the genetic material of the virus in swabs taken from patients.
Precious time
The molecular test – as opposed to the immunological one – allows to detect the disease at a very early stage, even before patients present with clinical symptoms. Today, the only problem with molecular diagnostic tests lies in time, as they take several hours and must be done in a lab. Additionally, sample collection, storage and transportation significantly extends the entire procedure from one to three days.
The solution would be to cut the waiting time and check the tested material at the sampling location. This is the philosophy behind the PCR|ONE system.
PCR kits for simultaneous testing for several pathogens
Ultimately the PCR|ONE system will be ready for simultaneous diagnostics of several pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, RSV. The panel could also be extended to include other pathogens on the WHO alert list, such as MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, swine flu, measles, rubella.
Polish innovations
Scope Fluidics is a Polish company which develops innovative projects in the field of diagnostics and health care. Established in 2010 at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences with the aim of creating solutions for medicine based on microfluidic technologies. The company has been listed on the New Connect market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange since 2017.
Who is behind
Co-founder and CEO of Scope Fluidics is Prof. Piotr Garstecki from the PAS Institute of Physical Chemistry. He is one of the few Polish scientists who has won the prestigious Starting Grant awarded by the European Research Council (ERC).
The researcher develops automated microfluidic technologies, which are used in diagnostics, biochemistry and microbiology.
Professor Piotr Garstecki co-authored over a hundred scientific publications and multiple patent applications. He conducted scientific and technical projects in Poland and the United States at Harvard University.
Source of information: Scope Fluidics, Foundation for Polish Science
