The project called Rapid and automatable detection for SARS-Cov-2 based on PCR, nanotechnology and microfluidics (NANOFLUIDETEC) is investigating the development of a detection system for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease COVID-19, based on molecular techniques and integrating nanotechnology and microfluidics with automation and potential connectivity for communication.
The system to be developed, consisting of an efficient device compatible with low-cost diagnostic methods, is intended to be easily adaptable and this flexibility will increase the diagnostic response capacity in future pandemics or other commonly diagnosed diseases. The aim is therefore to improve on current PCR-based detection systems in terms of speed, reliability and technical complexity. The final device would be intended for use in primary care centres, health care centres or nursing homes.
Point-of-care-testing is a type of diagnostic test that provides a result within minutes, without the need to send the sample to a laboratory. The technology is similar to the home glucose monitoring systems used by diabetics at home or the devices used to measure the blood clotting rate, without the need for a vein extraction, for people on Sintrom medication.
The NANOFLUIDETEC project is based on previous and current developments of the consortium to obtain a system that allows the detection of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in individuals suspected of COVID-19, in order to miniaturise, automate and simplify the tedious process of extracting the SARS-COV-2 virus. This will integrate the areas of genetics, nanotechnology, microelectronics, photonics, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and processing, and their treatment and operability through information and communication technologies (ICT).
GALICIAN CONSORTIUM
This project is driven by three Galician companies and a public research centre: AMSlab, a leading laboratory in Lugo in quality control in different sectors and a specialist in the development of innovative analytical methods; AMSbiopharma, which offers analytical solutions to companies in the chemical, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry, based in Lugo and belonging to the AMSlab group; BFlow, located in Santiago de Compostela and specialising in integrated microfluidic solutions and chips for the biotech industry and a public research centre; BFlow, located in Santiago de Compostela and specialised in comprehensive microfluidic solutions and chips for the biotech industry, and the Lugo Campus of the University of Santiago de Compostela through the Single Molecule Fluorescence research unit, a multidisciplinary team that has been collaborating since 2015 in the development of two experimental kits for the Xuvenciencia teaching innovation group.
CONECTA COVID PROGRAMME
This project is subsidised by the Galician Innovation Agency (GAIN), financed by ERDF funds and has the support of the Xunta de Galicia through the second vice-presidency and the Regional Ministry of Economy, Enterprise and Innovation. The operation is funded through the CONECTA COVID 2021 programme under the REACT-EU axis of the Feder Galicia 2014-2020 operational programme, as part of the European Union’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.