Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a versatile and sensitive diagnostic method that is the golden standard for DNA and RNA detection. However, qPCR requires expensive equipment, expert technicians and dedicated laboratory facilities, all leading to test times of multiple hours. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted both the strength of qPCR for infectious disease detection (ease of development, sensitivity) as well as its drawbacks (not a rapid point-of-care test, relatively expensive). The team has developed a new test based on a ‘glow-in-the-dark’ approach that can be used to detect DNA/RNA of viruses and bacteria with similar sensitivity as a PCR test in less than 30 minutes. The assay enables detection of pathogens in a single tube and at a single temperature, preventing cross-contamination – which may lead to false positives – and overcoming the need for a dedicated lab. The test generates a bright bioluminescent signal that is easy to read-out with a simple (smartphone) camera. Together these ingredients comprise an out-of-the-lab molecular diagnostic assay that is easy to use, fast, and can serve as Point-of-Care test for the presence of pathogens, e.g. at the general practitioner, in veterinary medicine, or other resource-limited healthcare settings. This allows for more rapid diagnosis and test-informed use of antimicrobial treatment, benefiting the health of individual patients as well as public health by limiting disease spread and rise of antimicrobial resistance.
