On-the-spot coronavirus test within spitting distance

26 October 2020

A COVID-19 test that will provide results within minutes, easing the way for borders to reopen, is set to be manufactured in Australia for Australian use.

So why this virus is so contingent because our body is very slow in response to the infection. It typically takes a week before our bodies start to show the symptoms. The goal for us is to use a nanophotonics approach to detect this window, okay, before the symptoms but they're already infectious. The test mainly based on the nanoprobe technologies are these probes they are super bright and their signal can be sensitive to the single molecular level. After adding the saliva on the strip sensor we can read the optical signal by using a meter so that the proteins of virus can be detected. Unlike current conventional tests – they take the swab and takes several days to get your results - our test can deliver that result within minutes so we can detect asymptomatic and symptomatic people around … so, for, example in airports if you decided to travel you can get tested within minutes and if you're negative you can continue with your planned travel and enjoy your vacation. It's Australian innovation and together with Australian company Alcolizer we can create rapid tests for COVID-19 here in Australia.

Mass testing that is fast, non-invasive and able to identify cases before people show symptoms holds the key to boosting COVID-19 detection, improving contact tracing and managing disease outbreaks.

In an Australian first, UTS scientists have used novel optical technology to design a highly sensitive saliva test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus antigens, or viral protein fragments. The test can deliver a positive result in under 15 minutes.

The rapid antigen test collects saliva in a cartridge placed in an existing hand-held device, first developed by Perth company Alcolizer for illicit drug testing. Customised iStrip technology measures the viral load in the saliva sample, even at very low levels, and displays the result on the instrument’s small screen. The device has GPS location technology and integration to cloud reporting tools to assist with contact tracing.