Scientists develop new coronavirus antibody test that gives results in 20 minutes

Mangalore Today News Network

Washington, Dec 11, 2020:     A new coronavirus antibody test has been developed by scientists that can give results within 20 minutes.

 

According to a report in PTI, scientists have developed a new accurate and reliable test to detect antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 which is as reliable that other tests available but less complex and can be performed much faster.

The new method, called biolayer interferometry immunosorbent assay (BLI-ISA), provides complete quantitative results in less than 20 minutes.

"Our assay is as sensitive if not better than other assays in detecting low levels of antibodies, and the specificity (false-positive rate) is as good as the best antibody tests out there," PTI quoted Rebecca DuBois, an associate professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, US, as saying.

"It combines the advantages of the test strips that take 20 minutes with the quantitative results and higher performance of ELISA," DuBois said.

A positive antibody test indicates prior infection with the virus. These tests are not used to diagnose active infections, however, which requires a different test that detects the virus’s genetic material or the virus antigens.

Serological testing is important for understanding the spread of the coronavirus by determining how many people in a population have been infected.

The tests are also used to evaluate the responses to experimental vaccines in both people and laboratory animals.
The new method of antibody test

As per PTI, the new BLI-ISA method uses biolayer interferometry, an optical technique for measuring the interactions between molecules by detecting the binding of molecules to the tip of a fiber-optic biosensor, the researchers said.

The new serological assay involves several steps performed by the instrument in an automated "dip-and-read" format, they said.

In the first step, the biosensor tip is dipped into a solution containing the antigen -- a viral protein -- that is recognised by the antibody to be tested for.

As the antigen binds to the biosensor tip, it generates a signal that can be used for quality control to ensure consistency in the antigen loading step, reported PTI

After dipping into a wash solution, the biosensor is dipped into the blood plasma sample, generating a signal as antibodies bind to the antigen.

Courtesy:India Today