Sample-to-Answer Immuno-Magnetic Assay Using Thermally Responsive Alkane Partitions

To combat pandemics, there is a need for rapid point-of-care diagnostics to identify infected patients and to track the spread of the disease. While recent progress has been made in response to COVID-19, there continues to be a need for point-of-care diagnostics capable of detecting biomarkers-such as antibodies-in whole blood. We have recently reported the development of thermally responsive alkane partitions (TRAPs) for the automation of point-of-care immuno-magnetic assays. Here, we demonstrate the use of TRAPs to enable sample-to-answer detection of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in whole blood samples. We report a limit of detection of 84 pg/mL, well below the clinically relevant threshold. We anticipate that the TRAP-enabled sample-to-answer immunoassay can be used to track the progression of future pandemics, leading to a more informed and robust clinical and societal response.

Automated summary

To combat pandemics, rapid point-of-care diagnostics are needed to detect biomarkers in whole blood. A recent development called thermally responsive alkane partitions (TRAPs) enables sample-to-answer detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in whole blood samples, with a limit of detection well below the clinically relevant threshold. This method can be used to track the progression of future pandemics and improve clinical and societal response.