Evaluation of a field-portable platform for image-based analysis of a (quantitative) loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay

• Grant number: 22/00533-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2022
• End date: June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Agreement: Texas A&M University
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Ester Cerdeira Sabino
• Grantee: Ester Cerdeira Sabino
• Principal researcher abroad: Hatice Ceylan Koydemir
• Institution abroad: Texas A&M University , United States
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo
• Associated researchers: Lucas Augusto Moyses Franco ; Marina Farrel Côrtes ; Nazareno Scaccia ; Silvia Figueiredo Costa
• Associated research grant: 18/14389-0 - Brazil-UK Centre for Arbovirus Discovery, Diagnosis, Genomics and Epidemiology (CADDE), AP.TEM

Abstract

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a low-cost DNA amplification technique that is useful for low- and middle-income countries for the screening of infectious diseases. Current methods to detect the amplification assay are based on the analysis of samples using benchtop analysis tools for fluorogenic marker intensity and requires an expert to operate the device and analyze the results, which limit the use of the LAMP assay at the point of care. This proposal aims to evaluate the design of a field-portable and cost-effective photonics-based platform for image-based analysis of a quantitative LAMP assay at the point of care. The prototype will be designed by Texas A&M University (TAMU) research team and the robustness of the platform in the laboratory and outdoor environment will be evaluated with the help of the TAMU and University of São Paulo (USP) research team. The acquired images of samples will be processed digitally using the custom-developed image processing algorithms developed by the TAMU team. This handheld analytical platform can be a useful tool for the quantitative analysis of DNA samples at the point of care. (AU)