Hong Kong PolyU builds portable nucleic acid testing device for COVID-19

An interdisciplinary research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), awarded over HK$2.7 million by the Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF), has successfully achieved highly sensitive SARSCoV-2 viral RNA detection based on the combination of reverse transcription– loop- mediated isothermal amplification (RTLAMP) and gold nanoparticles (as amplification result readout reagent). The device accommodates up to six testing samples at one time. Excluding one positive and one negative control sample, up to four samples can be tested at the same time. Once the samples have been collected, tests can be run on-site using the device, without the need to return the samples to the laboratory. The device provides a constant temperature of 65 degrees celsius, and the built-in optical system will monitor the precipitation or dispersion of gold nanoparticles (precipitate in positive samples, while remaining dispersed in negative samples). Real-time data will be sent to a mobile app via Bluetooth, and the test results will be analysed and displayed on the screen of the phone.