Quantification of a COVID-19 antibody assay using a lateral flow test and a cell phone

Date

2022

Authors

Thompson, Pearl
Bovolato, Ana Lívia de Carvalho
Ibáñez-Redín, Gisela
Brolo, Alexandre G.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Chemosensors

Abstract

Although several biomedical assays have been developed to screen for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, very few can be completed without drawing blood. We developed a rapid lateral flow screening tool that used saliva samples and yielded rapid results that could be quantified using a cell phone. This assay provided the sensitive detection of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 within 10 min. We started by synthesising, modifying, and characterising gold nanoparticles. Using these particles as a coloured label, we developed a lateral flow strip made of nitrocellulose, glass fibre, and cellulose material. We quantified our visual results using pictures acquired with a cell phone and calculated a limit of detection of 4 ng/mL of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

Description

Keywords

lateral flow, saliva, COVID-19, IgG, SARS-CoV-2, gold nanoparticles

Citation

Thompson, P., Bovolato, A., Ibáñez-Redín, G., & Brolo, A. (2022). “Quantification of a COVID-19 antibody assay using a lateral flow test and a cell phone.” Chemosensors, 10(7), 234. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors10070234