Research Translation
Problem
Current Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests (RIDTs) often produce a false negative.
Solution/Product
In this project, we propose to improve RIDT sensitivity by developing a Lateral Flow Immunoassay (LFIA) device capable of analyzing nasal swab samples collected on a dissolvable surface. The use of a dissolvable surface will cut down the liquid volume requirement into which the swab sample is transferred from 350-500 μL to 20-50 μL allowing analysis of the entire specimen rather than a small fraction of it.
The prototypes for the nasal swab with a dissolvable sampling surface and the proprietary testing platform have been successfully developed. We are currently evaluating the performance of these prototypes using clinical samples in collaboration with UW Student Health Services and Laramie Pediatrics clinic.
Wyoming Impact
Our higher RIDT sensitivity tests kits will eliminate the need for double checking the test results, saving $100-200 in testing cost per incidence and allowing improved disease treatment/management through access to reliable test results within 15 minutes.
UW Research Spotlight || Higher Accuracy Flu Testing Kits
Researchers at the University of Wyoming are designing a higher-accuracy flu test that has undergone preliminary human testing at a UW Student Health Service. The project is led by analytical chemistry Professor Debashis Dutta and doctoral student Amit Acharzo. While the current rapid influenza diagnostic tests are inexpensive, don’t require specialized equipment, and can provide results within 15 minutes, they often produce false-negative results due to their poor sensitivity. This requires that their outcomes be validated with more advanced tests. Dutta and his team have demonstrated over a 20-fold improvement in the detection limit for flu antigens collected on a 3D printed dissolvable nasal swab surface and analyzed using our proprietary testing platform. The proposed method also reduces reliance on user skills for performing the tests, cutting down variability in test results. This type of research, which can be quickly brought to market to solve real-life problems, is called translational research. Dutta’s project is one of several at UW to receive a National Science Foundation Seed Translational Acceleration of Research (STAR) Project award, provided under the Accelerating Research Translation (ART) award. UW was among the first cohort of awardees. The goal of these programs is to build translational research capacity and infrastructure for U.S. institutions of higher education and to enhance their role in regional innovation ecosystems. The projects have strong commercial potential and industry support. For the flu project, Dutta’s team is currently validating their research findings in the human samples. Then, they can move toward commercialization. They hope to see the test brought to market in the next two to three years. When that happens, it will have widespread use in rural settings as well as home use.
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.