As part of the “Fast Track 5_2020” competition, scientists from CEZAMAT WUT received funding for a research project called ImGen, which will be a great support in the diagnosis of Covid-19.
The main goal of the Project is to develop an innovative medical technology for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 in biological samples using electrochemical biosensors. The project responds to an urgent epidemiological need, namely the need for rapid and budgetary testing of potentially infected individuals. The project provides for the construction of a diagnostic device that will allow to obtain a reliable and immediate test result.
Currently used devices are not able to ensure the appropriate quality of measurements and are not used to obtain an immediate result. The ImGen project aims to fill the test system gap with a single universal device that can detect viral protein, antibodies and viral genetic sequences. With the help of one reader, we are able to perform three types of tests, which confirms the innovation and universality of the device.
One of the advantages of the project is also the fact that the tests do not require specialized staff to operate the device and a large-area laboratory. Thanks to the miniaturization of the entire process, the test device is small and fully mobile, which allows it to be charged even in a car, e.g. an ambulance.
The performed works will enable the development of a fully functioning device for fast and mobile diagnostics. Thanks to the developed technology, a diagnostic system will be created in the form of:
- a microelectronic reader that will be used by doctors, nurses and paramedics in non-laboratory conditions,
- disposable diagnostic cassettes for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus by means of antigen and antibody determinations,
- disposable diagnostic cassettes for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus using PCR in isothermal conditions and genosensors,
- measurement data management system with accompanying infrastructure.
In the long term, the developed technology could be used in self-monitoring systems of health by patients.
More information here.
