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UCL researchers conducted tests that found that the quantum sensing capabilities of nanodiamonds can be used to increase the sensitivity of paper-based diagnostic tests. Researchers say nanodiamonds could allow for early diagnosis of diseases such as HIV. Lateral flow tests on paper work the same way as a pregnancy test.
A strip of paper is dipped into a sample of fluid and changes color, indicating a positive test result when viral proteins or DNA are detected. The type of test is widely used to detect a range of viruses ranging from HIV to SARS-CoV-2 and provides a quick diagnosis that doesn’t need to be worked out in a laboratory.
New research shows that low-cost nanodiamonds can be used to signal the presence of an HIV disease marker with a sensitivity many thousands of times greater than the gold nanoparticles commonly used in these tests. The higher sensitivity will allow for lower viral loads to be detected so that the test can detect lower disease levels and detect disease at an earlier stage.
Early detection is critical to reducing the risk of transmission for infected individuals to effectively treat a disease such as HIV. Researchers are currently working to adapt the new technology to test for COVID-19 and other diseases in the coming months. One of the key parts the scientists are working on is the development of a portable device for reading the results.
The technique was demonstrated using a microscope and a laboratory. The researchers also plan further clinical evaluation studies in the future. Researcher Rachel McKendry says the proof of concept study shows that quantum technologies can detect ultra-low levels of the virus in a patient sample. The researchers note that while they have focused on HIV detection, the approach is flexible and can be easily adapted to other diseases and types of biomarkers.
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