The test, which works for both hepatitis C and SARS-CoV-2, can be conducted in a single small test tube, taking just a few minutes to yield results.
In a major breakthrough, researchers at the University of Florida have leveraged the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a simplified test that can diagnose both hepatitis C and SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.
The test can be conducted in a single small test tube, taking just a few minutes to yield results.
With further improvements and optimization, this technology could potentially be available in doctor’s offices in the near future, and eventually, in the form of at-home tests that are as simple as a pregnancy test.
This development marks a significant stride towards revolutionizing disease diagnosis and management, using AI-powered innovations.
“We are trying to build a home-based test,” comments lead author Piyush Jain, “that is as reliable as a lab-based test” that eliminates “the need for expensive equipment” and provides “results in just 10 to 20 minutes.”
Jain’s research group is working towards achieving its goals by innovating the one-pot reaction system, which allows the entire testing process to occur within a single small test tube. This method utilizes RT-LAMP technology to amplify small sections of a virus’s genome and generate a visible signal upon detecting the virus. These tests can be easily interpreted by looking for a color change or utilizing a small device that detects alterations in the test tube.
Although the FDA has authorized some at-home one-pot tests for COVID-19 under emergency use, they possess a relatively high false positive rate, indicating that they may not be as reliable as expected.
Jain adds: they “are combining another technology called CRISPR to determine the difference between a false positive and a true positive.”
CRISPR, a genetic engineering tool known for its ability to drive rapid improvements, has the potential to cure inherited diseases by repairing genomes. Researchers have been relying on CRISPR’s ability to target specific genetic sequences to detect the presence of viruses like hepatitis. However, the RT-LAMP technology used for this purpose requires a temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit, while CRISPR works best at 100 degrees, making tests complicated for home use.
To bridge this gap, researchers have been developing a CRISPR system that can withstand higher temperatures. They recently discovered a heat-loving CRISPR enzyme in a species of bacteria that thrives at 140 degrees. Using AI tools, Jain’s group analyzed this enzyme and made several changes to enable it to survive at 150 degrees. After testing dozens of changes, the researchers found four modifications to the enzyme that made it work at the required temperature.
“It’s very challenging for any human to do this kind of analysis on an enzyme,” comments Jain.
“We didn’t have to spend years, we could make these improvements in months. With everything working at the same temperature, now we are able to combine everything in a true one-pot reaction, we call SPLENDID.”
Researchers have successfully tested their simplified SPLENDID test on clinical samples obtained from patients suffering from hepatitis C or COVID-19. According to the team, the test demonstrated a 97% accuracy rate for SARS-CoV-2 and a 95% accuracy rate for the most prevalent type of the hepatitis C virus worldwide.
While it did not perform well against other less common types of hepatitis C virus, Jain, the lead researcher, stated that straightforward modifications could rapidly improve its accuracy.
The team’s study was published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine today.
Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, the study aims to develop simple tests for viruses such as hepatitis C, allowing for early identification and treatment when treatments are most effective.
The researchers, led by Jain, will now focus on refining the test, enhancing its ability to differentiate between hepatitis C strains, and validating it in hospital settings, with the ultimate goal of providing at-home testing in the future.
Source: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101037
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