The two researchers leading the work at ISU are Dr. Xianglan Bai, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, and Dr. Daniel Attinger, a professor of mechanical engineering. They are working with Xiamen Baysen Medical Tech Co., Ltd. of China to develop the new saliva test.
Xiamen Baysen Medical is a high-tech bio enterprise that specializes in fast diagnostic reagents. The company has developed a range of rapid tests for various diseases, including COVID-19. The company's expertise in fast diagnostic reagents makes it the perfect partner for Iowa State University's research project.
The new saliva test works by detecting the presence of the COVID-19 virus in a person's saliva. The test uses a lateral flow assay, which is similar to a pregnancy test. A person would collect their saliva in a tube, and then a small amount of the sample would be placed on a strip of paper. The paper strip would then be dipped in a solution that would cause a reaction if the COVID-19 virus is present. The reaction would produce a visible line on the paper strip, indicating a positive test result.
The saliva test is simple to use, requires no special equipment, and can be performed anywhere, making it ideal for use in clinics, schools, workplaces, and other settings. It is also much less invasive than the current COVID-19 tests that require a swab to be inserted deep into the nose or throat.
Dr. Bai and Dr. Attinger have been working on the saliva test for several months and have already obtained promising results. Their goal is to develop a test that is both fast and accurate, with a sensitivity and specificity of at least 90%. They are confident that their saliva test will meet these criteria and could be an important tool in the fight against COVID-19.
If successful, the saliva test could also have other applications beyond COVID-19. The lateral flow assay technology used in the test could be adapted to detect other diseases, such as foodborne illnesses, making it a versatile tool for health care professionals.
The research project is being funded by the National Science Foundation, which awarded Iowa State University a $256,000 grant to develop the saliva test. The grant will support the development of the test as well as the production of a prototype.
The collaboration between Iowa State University and Xiamen Baysen Medical is an example of the importance of international partnerships in the fight against COVID-19. By sharing expertise and resources, researchers around the world can work together to develop new tests, treatments, and vaccines that will help bring an end to the pandemic.
Dr. Bai and Dr. Attinger hope to have the saliva test ready for use in the near future. The test could be a game changer in the battle against COVID-19, providing a fast, affordable, and non-invasive way to detect the virus and help control its spread.