Rapid Test Improvements: DNA Nanotechnology Increases Test Strip Sensitivity

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, almost everyone has been familiar with this technology. Paper-based rapid test strips, also known as lateral immunoassays (LFIA). They allow for the simple detection of biomarkers indicating the presence of a particular pathogen or health condition.

Currently, a research group led by Heini Ijäs, Maximilian J. Urban and Tim Liedl of LMU Munich have been able to significantly improve such tests using cutting-edge nanotechnology called DNA Origami.

In DNA origami, DNA is folded and folded into Japanese paper foldable to create nanoscale structures of almost any shape. In this case, the researchers designed a nanoscale amplifier that greatly enhances the sensitivity of the LFIA.

Researchers from the Faculty of Physics and the Center for Nanoscience (CENS) present the results in the Journal Natural Communications, laying out ways to improve testing of a variety of biomarkers, including heart attack markers, cardiac troponin I (CTNI), stroke markers, and light chains of neuritis (NFL).

Nanotechnology for early detection of stroke and heart attacks

Rapid testing is widely used in point-of-care diagnostics for simplicity and cost-effectiveness. However, traditional test strips often fail to detect essential biomarkers present in only trace amounts of blood, saliva, or urine. As a result, life-threatening conditions such as strokes and heart attacks can remain unnoticed at the early stages, but in such cases, rapid medical intervention is key to a good recovery prognosis.

The newly developed signal amplification system is based on DNA nanotechnology and acts as a molecular amplifier, connecting detection antibodies to a precisely tunable number of signal generating labels. This study shows an increase in sensitivity up to 125 times.

“Our technology allows for unparalleled control of amplification factors, making LFIA testing more reliable and effective for clinical applications.” “This innovation has the potential to transform diagnostic testing across a wide range of diseases.”

This method can be adapted to a variety of biomarkers and samples, including drugs of abuse, making it a versatile solution for improving existing rapid testing. The breakthrough leads to more sensitive, faster and more accessible diagnostic tools for both clinical and home testing, according to the research team.

The molecular amplifier costs about 1 cent per test. “We want to make technology available to physicians in their daily practices and improve patient care. With the help of grants from the federal government’s existence research program, we are now commercializing technology.

“We see high demand for testing in small clinics and practices without prompt access to the labs and emergency departments.