Development of Aptamer Based Biosensing Platform Technologies for Rapid Responses to Future Global Pandemics

开发基于适体的生物传感平台技术以快速应对未来全球流行病

• 批准号: 570428-2021
• 负责人: Li, Yingfu
• 金额: $ 36.21万
• 依托单位: McMaster University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=722696
• 关键词: Development; Aptamer; Based; Biosensing; Platform

Our team has recently developed a rapid saliva-based test for SARS-CoV-2 using a high-affinity DNA aptamer to recognize the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This test has been licensed by Zentek Ltd., who is currently working to bring the test to market. Given the incredible threat of infectious pathogens to human lives, their rapid detection is vital for improving human health. In the case of viral pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, large-scale testing, contact tracing and isolation have been shown to be effective in controlling the viral spread. However, the majority of current testing is based on nucleic acid detection using PCR, which, while highly sensitive and specific, suffers from a slow turnaround time and high cost. Rapid, accurate and inexpensive testing platforms can offer excellent solutions. Unfortunately, current rapid antigen tests, although relatively rapid, are still expensive and not sufficiently sensitive for easily available samples like saliva swabs. To address these issues, we propose to expand our aptamer diagnostic approach towards the development of a platform technology to allow quick delivery of a simple, fast, cost-effective large-scale diagnostic test that can become commercially available early in a future pandemic. This platform will consist of: (1) efficient aptamer engineering methodologies that can provide high-performing aptamers for a target of a pathogen in weeks; (2) a simplified sample processing platform capable of efficiently processing saliva, nasal mucus or other relevant clinical samples to deliver high-quality samples for testing; (3) an optimized electrochemical sensing platform suitable for use in congregate settings that efficiently converts pathogen presence into an electric readout (like a glucose meter), and; (4) optimized lateral flow devices suitable for use in home settings that provide a simple yes or no answer quickly (like a pregnancy test). Each of these components will be further developed by Zentek to include rapid manufacturing and test validation components so that new tests can obtain timely regulatory approval and be manufactured at scale to ensure rapid commercialization at the onset of a global pandemic.

我们的团队最近开发了一种基于唾液的SARS-CoV-2快速检测方法，使用一种高亲和力的DNA适配子来识别SARS-CoV-2刺突蛋白。这种测试已经获得了Zentek有限公司的许可，该公司目前正在努力将这种测试推向市场。鉴于传染性病原体对人类生命的巨大威胁，快速检测它们对改善人类健康至关重要。就SARS-CoV-2等病毒病原体而言，大规模检测、接触者追踪和隔离已被证明在控制病毒传播方面是有效的。然而，目前的大多数检测都是基于聚合酶链式反应的核酸检测，这种方法虽然具有高度的敏感性和特异性，但存在周转时间慢和成本高的问题。快速、准确、廉价的测试平台可以提供优秀的解决方案。不幸的是，目前的快速抗原检测虽然相对较快，但仍然昂贵，而且对唾液拭子等容易获得的样本来说不够敏感。为了解决这些问题，我们建议扩大我们的适配子诊断方法，以开发一种平台技术，以便能够快速提供一种简单、快速、成本效益高的大规模诊断测试，这种测试可以在未来大流行的早期投入商业使用。该平台将包括：(1)高效适配子工程方法，可在数周内为病原体的靶标提供高效的适配子；(2)简化的样本处理平台，能够高效地处理唾液、鼻黏液或其他相关临床样本，以提供高质量检测样本；(3)优化的电化学传感平台，适合聚集环境中使用，高效地将病原体的存在转换为电子读数(如血糖仪)；以及(4)优化的横向流动设备，适合快速给出简单是或否答案的家庭设置(如怀孕测试)。Zentek将进一步开发这些组件中的每一个，以包括快速制造和测试验证组件，以便新测试能够及时获得监管部门的批准并进行规模化生产，以确保在全球大流行开始时迅速商业化。