Published Study Details Proof-of-Concept for COVID-19 Detection via Saliva Screening
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute have developed a novel COVID-19 saliva testing method using the Agilent Cary 630 FTIR Spectrometer. This proof-of-concept study analyzes the body's immune response rather than detecting the virus, making it potentially more effective against mutations. The research highlights the simplicity and rapidity of the method, which requires minimal equipment and provides results in seconds. Published in the journal Biomedicines, the study underscores the Cary 630's suitability for various settings, enhancing COVID-19 diagnostics.
- Development of a novel FTIR-based saliva testing method for COVID-19 that potentially offers greater robustness against virus mutations.
- Test method utilizes minimal consumables and provides rapid results, making it suitable for non-clinical environments like airports or stadiums.
- Published research demonstrates the Cary 630 FTIR Spectrometer's effectiveness in infectious disease research.
- None.
Methodology developed by QIMR Berghofer researchers utilizing the Agilent Cary 630 FTIR Spectrometer
The study investigated the pathophysiological response to a COVID-19 infection through ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The researchers acquired infrared spectra of saliva samples following a quick and simple sample preparation requiring only ethanol and basic laboratory equipment. An infrared spectrum can be considered as a biochemical snapshot of the saliva sample including a COVID-19 immune response signature.
Unlike other testing technologies such as PCR testing or rapid antigen test, the ATR-FTIR method analyses the pathophysiological responses of the human body rather than detecting the pathogen/antigen itself, which is thought to make this method more robust against virus mutations.
“We applied a simple ethanol decontamination procedure for biosafe handling of self-collected saliva samples. A basic step of significant importance for any test that has the potential to be used in non-clinical environments such as in remote areas or in scenarios where large crowds require rapid testing, for example, in airports, or sports stadiums,” explained associate professor
“Earlier research studies on ATR-FTIR for COVID-19 saliva testing were not conclusive on the biological basis for the saliva testing methodology. To shine a light on this aspect, we also conducted controlled infection experiments on cells and mice models and established the most characteristic COVID-19 positive spectral signature. We integrated our data from in vitro cell studies, in vivo mouse studies, and independent human cohort studies, as well as data from recent publications to demonstrate the robustness of the methodology,” Hill added.
The paper titled Pathophysiological Response to SARS-CoV-2 Infection Detected by Infrared Spectroscopy Enables Rapid and Robust Saliva Screening for COVID-19 has been published in the journal Biomedicines. The results demonstrate the advantage of using the Cary 630 FTIR Spectrometer in advanced infectious disease research. Specifically, the instrument’s ultra-compact, portable, and reliable design makes it ideal for seamless deployment in different settings and scenarios in infectious disease research.
“We are very excited about this research study. FTIR spectroscopy is an easy-to-use analytical technique, uses minimal consumables, and provides results in seconds,” said
The research was further funded by the
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