Imagine there’s a global pandemic, and we need a quick, affordable, and effective way to identify who is infected. Interestingly, a similar testing method is already available at your local drugstore: the early pregnancy test. While you can’t use it directly to detect a virus, the concept behind it is quite similar.
These tests use a simple mechanism: a sample pad and a paper stick that changes color to show a positive or negative result. This method can be adapted to test saliva for viruses and other pathogens. Various industries use similar tests to monitor for contaminants. For example, chicken farmers test eggs for salmonella, municipal managers check drinking water, and chocolate manufacturers look for allergens.
Two key principles make these tests possible. The first is capillary action. This principle allows a small tube to draw any water-based liquid through it predictably. It means you can use different samples, like urine or saliva, and the fluid will move through tiny tubes in the testing paper without needing precise measuring tools.
The second principle involves antibodies. Our immune systems produce antibodies to attach to specific proteins. By identifying antibodies that target specific proteins—like a pregnancy hormone or an allergen—we can mass-produce these antibodies in a lab. Some of these antibodies are dyed and placed on a testing strip. If the target protein is present in the sample, the dyed antibodies bind to it and are drawn along the strip by capillary action. They become locked in place by another line of undyed antibodies further along the strip. If a colored line appears, it indicates a positive result.
This technology is particularly relevant now as scientists are developing lateral flow assay designs to quickly test saliva for the COVID-19 virus. They are working to find the most effective antibodies, balancing specificity to avoid false positives and sensitivity to avoid false negatives.
We are getting closer to performing sophisticated analyses from the comfort of our homes. Thanks to the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), an international graduate school focused on advancing science and education. OIST not only sponsored this research but also provided technical expertise through their Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics lab.
Professor Amy Shen and her team at OIST are developing a blood test for COVID-19 antibodies. This test combines the speed of lateral flow assays with the detailed analysis of more complex optical assays. It will help determine not only if someone has had the disease but also the level of antibody protection they have.
OIST offers a fully-funded PhD program and research internship opportunities for talented young scientists worldwide. To learn more about OIST or to apply, visit admissions.oist.jp.
Use household items like paper towels, water, and food coloring to create a simple model demonstrating capillary action. Observe how the colored water travels up the paper towel. Discuss how this principle is used in pregnancy tests and lateral flow assays for detecting viruses.
Create a card game where each card represents a different antibody or antigen. Your task is to match antibodies with their corresponding antigens. This will help you understand how antibodies are used in tests to identify specific proteins, such as those in pregnancy tests or COVID-19 tests.
Work in groups to design a hypothetical lateral flow assay for a new virus. Consider factors like the sample type, the antibodies needed, and how to ensure accuracy. Present your design to the class and explain your choices.
Research the latest innovations from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) related to COVID-19 testing. Prepare a presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting how these innovations could impact global health.
Take a virtual tour of a lab that specializes in developing diagnostic tests, such as the Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics lab at OIST. Write a reflection on what you learned about the process of developing and testing new diagnostic tools.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi, this is David from MinuteEarth. Let’s say, hypothetically, that there was a global pandemic. To stop its spread, we’d need to develop a test that could quickly, cheaply, and effectively identify infected individuals. Fortunately, a similar test already exists at your local drug store: it’s called an early pregnancy test.
While you can’t simply use it to determine if you have a specific virus, the underlying concept is similar. The same type of test—a sample pad and a paper stick that changes colors to indicate a positive or negative result—can be used to check saliva for pathogens. These tests allow various industries to monitor for contaminants, such as chicken farmers testing eggs for salmonella, municipal managers testing drinking water, and chocolate manufacturers checking for allergens.
These tests enable anyone to test almost any water-based liquid for various proteins due to two fundamental principles. The first is capillary action: if you have a small enough tube, you can draw any water-based liquid through it predictably. This means you can use a variety of samples—whether it’s urine, saliva, or other liquids—and the surface tension will guide the fluid through microscopic tubes in the testing paper. This eliminates the need for precise measuring tools.
The second principle involves antibodies, which are produced by immune systems to attach to specific proteins. By identifying antibodies that target the proteins of interest—whether that’s a pregnancy hormone or an allergen—we can mass-produce these antibodies in a lab, dye some of them, and strategically place them on a testing strip. If the target protein is present in the sample, the dyed antibodies will bind to it, be drawn along the strip by capillary action, and become locked in place by another line of undyed antibodies further along the strip. If the colored line appears, it indicates a positive result.
This technology is particularly relevant now, as we are currently facing a pandemic. Scientists are developing lateral flow assay designs to rapidly test saliva for the COVID-19 virus. They are working to identify the most effective antibodies to use, balancing specificity to avoid false positives and sensitivity to avoid false negatives.
We are close to being able to perform sophisticated analyses from the comfort of our own homes. Thanks to the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, an international graduate school focused on advancing science and education. OIST not only sponsored this video but also provided technical expertise through their Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics lab.
Professor Amy Shen and her team are developing a blood test for COVID-19 antibodies that combines the speed of lateral flow assays with the quantitative nature of more complex optical assays. This will help determine not only if someone has had the disease but also the level of antibody protection they have.
OIST offers a fully-funded PhD program and research internship opportunities for talented young scientists worldwide. To learn more about OIST or to apply, visit admissions.oist.jp.
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This version maintains the core information while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Pregnancy – The condition of having a developing embryo or fetus within the body, typically in the uterus, in mammals. – During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes numerous physiological changes to support the developing fetus.
Test – A procedure intended to establish the quality, performance, or reliability of something, especially before it is taken into widespread use. – Scientists conducted a test to determine the efficacy of the new drug in treating bacterial infections.
Antibodies – Proteins produced by the immune system that recognize and neutralize foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses. – The presence of specific antibodies in the blood can indicate a past infection or successful vaccination.
Capillary – A small blood vessel where the exchange of substances between the blood and tissues occurs. – Oxygen and nutrients are delivered to cells through the thin walls of capillaries.
Action – The process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim or deal with a problem or situation. – The action of enzymes is crucial in speeding up biochemical reactions in the body.
Virus – A microscopic infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of an organism. – The influenza virus mutates rapidly, which is why new vaccines are needed each year.
Pathogens – Microorganisms that can cause disease in their host, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. – Pathogens can spread through various means, including air, water, and direct contact.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – Advances in science have led to groundbreaking discoveries in medicine and technology.
COVID-19 – A highly infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, leading to respiratory illness. – The COVID-19 pandemic prompted global efforts to develop effective vaccines and treatments.
Oist – There is no scientific term “oist” related to biology or science; it might be a typographical error or a non-standard term. – Please verify the term “oist” as it does not appear in standard scientific literature.
