TU Dublin researchers to develop saliva-based COVID-19 test with test results available in just minutes

AptaGold – A rapid saliva-based COVID-19 screening assay

AptaGold, led by Dr Niamh Gilmartin and Dr Steve Meaney of the School of Biological & Health Sciences and the Environmental Sustainability and Health Institute (ESHI) at TU Dublin, will provide an innovative saliva-based, instrument-free approach for the detection of COVID-19 which is cost-effective and readily scalable.

Dr Steve Meaney, a Medical Scientist, Biochemist and Assistant Head of the School of Biological & Health Sciences at TU Dublin, explains that extensive testing and early detection are crucial to containing and managing COVID-19, particularly in the absence of sufficient clinical interventions. “Current diagnostic tools are expensive as they rely on the use of genetic approaches and require equipment, reagents and trained diagnostic staff. The capacity of such laboratory-based test systems will always be a challenge. Our solution meets the urgent need for a cheap, on the spot and sample-to-result screening option using an easily obtainable saliva sample. As specialised training or equipment is not required to complete the proposed new test, it might find use in workplaces, airports and other travel hubs as well as in low-resource environments where there are insufficient laboratory services.”

It now well established that SARS-CoV-2 viral particles are present in the saliva of infected individuals, says Dr Niamh Gilmartin, a Biochemist and expert in Biomedical Diagnostics at TU Dublin. “AptaGold, our proposed screening assay, is based on mixing patient saliva samples with specially selected DNA strands called aptamers. These strands are linked to tiny gold particles, and if COVID-19 virus proteins are present, these particles bunch up, leading to a visible colour change in minutes. Aptamers can be produced at a much lower cost than antibodies, so the production can be easily scaled up to meet demand in Ireland and abroad.”

Continuing Dr Gilmartin says testing, isolating and contact tracing are vital to stopping COVID19 and timely, accurate results will significantly reduce the timelines and save lives. “AptaGold is designed to be a first-line, screening system for those who require immediate treatment and isolation, both in the healthcare sector and in the general population. By providing a simple and inexpensive near-patient test system, this approach will significantly reduce wait times for sample collection and test results.”

Dr Meaney says the rapid identification of infected patients will improve clinical decision-making. “The system can support rapid intervention and therefore, reduce the spread of infection. This is really relevant as we continue to open up the economy and society – employees could take the test each morning to quickly find out if they should self-isolate or not and it could be helpful for people to manage their travel plans.”

AptaGold is a multi-agency project led by TU Dublin with collaboration with Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin St. James’s Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the National Clinical Programme for Pathology.

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