ALERT (Accessible LAMP-Enabled Rapid Test)

The shortage of coronavirus testing kits in the world has quickly come to the surface as the virus continues to spread. We are racing to get tests out to the public, and to offer an affordable solution to at home testing. We have developed a robust, simple, sensitive test to detect Covid in 1hr at home at low-cost based on a nucleic acid amplification reaction RT-LAMP (Reverse Transcription-Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification) assay. Our particular design will makes an at-home DIY test possible! We use wax layered reaction cartridges for stability and a magnetic wand for the transfer of concentrated RNA samples. Our work can be found here. We have accomplished the detection of SARS-CoV-2, but once our testing platform, ALERT, is developed we will be able to easily modify it for other viruses and microorganisms.

We are currently working on VariantDetection. Our Microgrant 5 Application can be found here.

Team Members: Many people are involved in this project. To list a few:

Ali Bektaş, Mike Covington, Guy Aidelberg, Anibal Arce, Tamara Matute, Isaac Núñez, Julia Walsh, Cesar Ramirez, Fernán Federici, Anitha Jayaprakash