Lamp based detection of sars-cov-2 with low-cost off-the-shelf components

Abstract

This paper reports the design, development, and testing of a novel, yet simple and low-cost portable device for rapid SARS-CoV-2 detection. The device performs loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and provides visually distinguishable images of the fluorescence emitted from the samples. The device utilises an aluminium block embedded with a cartridge heater for isothermal heating of the sample and a single-board computer and camera for fluorescence detection. The device demonstrates promising results within 20 minutes using clinically relevant starting concentrations of the synthetic template.