self-PoweRed cONductimeter for digiTalization of rapid mOlecular diagnostics

Introduction

Despite huge progress in prevention and treatment over the past century, infectious diseases still impose a great health burden. For this reason, lab-centralised immunoassays and nucleic acid tests that allow for specific pathogen identification with limits of detection reaching a few copies per ml of sample are readily available and supported by both national and private health systems in the developed world.

Accessibility Issues

However, these tests are neither affordable nor accessible to patients in low- and medium-income countries. Fortunately, lateral flow antigen-based tests have proven to be a fast, reliable, and affordable tool to detect a wide range of pathogens.

Limitations of Current Tests

However, such tests suffer from cross-reactivity with related bacterial or viral species and, more importantly, they often require 10^5 pathogens per mL to yield a positive result.

Clinical and Technological Need

It becomes clear that there is a clinical and technological need to develop rapid tests that combine PCR sensitivity—able to detect one copy per mL—with lateral flow affordability.

Proposed Solution

PRONTO proposes a novel low-cost, sustainable, and self-powered readout system for nucleic acid detection based on conductimetry. The key component consists of a paper-based and single-use self-powered conductimetric sensor developed during the ERC Consolidator Grant SUPERCELL.

Unique Sensing Approach

The sensing approach is unique and minimalistic, as it breaks the classic paradigm of sensor-electronics-battery. The sensor and the power source are merged into one element while making the detection system energetically autonomous.

Global Impact

The simplicity of the approach will enable the deployment of highly sensitive and digital tests for infectious diseases at affordable prices and in a sustainable manner at a global scale.