CMU, Pitt developing covid antibody test that gives results within seconds

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC are collaborating to develop a new antibody test — which they say is one of the fastest antibody tests in existence.

The test uses a small drop of blood from a fingertip to search for the presence of two covid-19 antibodies. The results are available within 15 seconds, according to a news release.

In March, Rahul Panat, a mechanical engineer and associate professor at CMU, had been working on a small device to detect the neurotransmitter, dopamine. A researcher focused on 3D printing, he had spent years of his career working for Intel corporation and focusing on microfabrication — the process of creating miniaturized structures for different purposes.

But when covid-19 hit the region, Panat began to wonder if there were other ways he could use his expertise, ways that would help combat the imposing crisis. He predicted he would be able to use his dopamine-detecting device to search for antibodies, instead.

“There is this pandemic raging,” he thought. “Is there anything I can do in order to help out?”

Panat began doing research and looking for someone more familiar with the biological sciences — someone he could collaborate with. He landed on Shou-Jiang Gao, leader of the Cancer Virology Program at the UPMC Hillman Center and a professor of microbiology at Pitt. Azahar Ali, a postdoctoral researcher in Panat’s Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Lab, also worked as the lead author of a study on the new device, which currently awaits peer review. Panat said the device was the result of intense collaboration across subject areas.

“We have strong engineering expertise at CMU and the University of Pittsburgh is a known center for biological sciences,” he said. “It’s just too exciting an environment not to make use of.”

Together, the researchers created a handheld device able to identify two different antibodies of the virus. Using an aerosol jet 3D printer, tiny electrodes are used to create a rough, irregular surface area, which are coated with the covid-19 antigen. From the blood drawn from a fingertip, antibodies can latch onto the antigens on the electrodes.

Panat said initial testing has been promising and consistent, so far. Results are sent directly to a smartphone interface in 10-15 seconds. The cost to manufacture the device is low, as it functions for around 10 uses, Panat said, making it an accessible and easy to use tool, overall.

“There is a worldwide audience here,” Panat said, pointing out the device’s potential uses for international travel and other scenarios where quick results are paramount.

The device has a provisional patent and is nearing human trials, which will take place at UPMC, Panat said.

“We have a ways to go, but the initial results are exciting,” he said.

While covid-19 is the present focus, Panat said the technology can be easily adapted to search for antibodies for other diseases — it all depends on what antigens are connected to the micropillar electrodes. The device can be repurposed to search for antibodies to Zika Virus, Ebola or HIV, he said.

Overall, Panat hopes the device — and other inventions spurred by the pandemic — will help society at large understand and trust science, especially in an era when doubts to scientific discoveries and facts are prominently shared via social media.

“If there are clear examples like this (device), I think some of these doubts or questions that some people might have can potentially be addressed,” he said. “Focusing technologies to solving problems of the society is something that I personally think is very important.”