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Researchers from the Doherty Institute have built a low-cost device that enables high-performance, rapid COVID-19 molecular testing using a rapid 20-minute LAMP test previously described by the team. The LAMP test involves detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a patient nasal swab or saliva sample and uses an increase in fluorescence to indicate a positive result.

In 2020, as diagnostic microbiology labs around the world rushed to scale up their molecular testing, there were significant global shortages of the materials and equipment necessary to perform COVID-19 detection in patient samples.

University of Melbourne postdoctoral researcher Dr Andrew Buultjens at the Doherty Institute and one of the lead researchers said: “We launched this project early in the COVID-19 pandemic when we imagined how we might facilitate low-cost and unrestricted access to high-quality diagnostic instruments needed to support an effective public health response in the face of supply issues”.

“We wanted to see if we could build a detection device using readily available, low-cost components that would give labs access high-performance COVID-19 testing.”

The prototype device, called the FABL-8, was built using off-the-shelf electronics, low-cost theatrical gels, some 3D-printed components, and an aluminium block produced by a local engineering company for a total cost of $500 AUD.

“We showed in a series of performance evaluations using clinical specimens that the FABL-8 performed as well as a high-end commercial instrument,” Dr Buultjens said.

“And all the parts needed to build it were locally sourced.”

The team has made all instructions on how to make and use the FABL-8 publicly available and have published their work in ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering.

You can also view a how-to video for operating the device.