Sensor driven serodiagnostics for infection and immunity in COVID-19
This Alliance COVID‑19 project will develop a new made-in-Canada sensor for COVID‑19 and is easily translatable to the next pandemic viral threat. This academic and industrial alliance aim to deliver point-of-care serodiagnostic testing with a rapid turnaround to protect both patients and health care personnel. In addition to the industry partners, NXTSens and MY01 Inc- which will provide technical support for sensor design and regulatory as well as use of their manufacturing pipeline (MY01. io)), a corporate partner in Sherbrooke, QC (Immune Biosolutions Inc- will supply the team with COVID Spike protein and consultation on use. This research project fulfills all objectives of the NSERC’s mandate by accelerating the availability of high-quality and real-time evidence to support Canada’s rapid response to the global pandemic in order to better detect, treat and/or manage COVID-19. Here we aim to develop a field-effect transistor (FET)-based biosensing device for detecting SARS-CoV-2 through the spike protein. Our system will be able to detect and determine specifically the proportion if any of IgM and IgG Abs in test droplets and assess simultaneously whether patient is infected or immunized. This proposal will enable Canadian engagement and coordination in national and international large-scale trials and/or better enable harmonized data collection, sharing of data, and rapid large-scale evaluation of impact. It will provide evidence to inform clinical and health system management and public health response, and decision-making and planning within and across jurisdictions in Canada and internationally.
