Rapid, multiplexed detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections with high-quality-factor (high-Q) nanophotonics

Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States

TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY

Tech Brief: Our solution is a rapid (<15 minute), label-free, hand-held assay that detects specific viral nucleic acid sequences, based on resonant nanophotonic surfaces invented in the Dionne Lab. The assay can multiplex hundreds of nucleic acid probes to screen for many viral gene segments or mutations in a single test.

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SHOWCASE SUMMARY

FIGURES OF MERIT

Value Proposition: Our assay offers several advantages compared to existing COVID tests: 1) frequent, rapid results in <15 minutes, without the need to change patient/consumer behavior. 2) An extremely high detection sensitivity, owing to the chips laser-sharp scattering spectra. 3) By relying on nanopatterned Si, we capitalize on the low-cost and scalable fabrication of established high-throughput CMOS fabrication processes. 4) Fluorescent tagging or secondary antibodies are not required; therefore, no additional reagents or sample preparation is required after the chip is removed from the mask. 5) Massive multiplexing is possible on a single chip, owing to the “free-space” illumination of the surfaces and the bioprinted functionalization. 6) Minimal training for use is needed, unlike PCR which requires a lab technician or health care professional. In the near term, our sensor will impact the medical diagnostics industry, enabling fast, sensitive respiratory panels. In the long term, this technology can impact personalized medicine. We can quantify health and immunity and enable actionable health outcomes, such as recommending a vaccine booster, suggesting a tailored immunotherapeutic, or correlating personal behaviors like diet, sleep and exercise with immunity. Ultimately, this assay merges Mendel with Moore through a re-imagined infectious disease toolkit.