Point-of-care nucleic acid tests: assays and devices

The COVID-19 pandemic (caused by the SARS_CoV_2 virus) has emphasized the need for quick, easy-to-operate, reliable, and affordable diagnostic tests and devices at the Point-of-Care (POC) for homes/fields/clinics. Such tests and devices will contribute significantly to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and any future infectious disease epidemic. Often, academic research studies and those from industry lack knowledge of each other's developments. Here, we introduced DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and isothermal amplification reactions and reviewed the current commercially available POC nucleic acid diagnostic devices. In addition, we reviewed the history and the recent advancements in an effort to develop reliable, quick, portable, cost-effective, and automatic point-of-care nucleic acid diagnostic devices, from sample to result. The purpose of this paper is to bridge the gap between academia and industry and to share important knowledge on this subject.

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for quick, easy-to-use, reliable, and affordable diagnostic tests and devices at various locations. This paper introduces PCR and isothermal amplification reactions, reviews commercially available point-of-care nucleic acid diagnostic devices, and discusses efforts in developing reliable, portable, cost-effective, and automatic point-of-care nucleic acid diagnostic devices. Its purpose is to bridge the gap between academia and industry and share important knowledge on this topic.