Multiplex point-of-care assay to diagnose infectious diseases

A new technology in infectious disease diagnostics will be examined. The test platform will utilize Panbio's patented Oligo Rapid technology, a lateral flow cassette in which analyte binding is mediated through specifi-cally engineered oligonucleotides. The cassette strips themselves will be generic so that they can be readily adapted to a variety of analytes (antibodies and antigens) that are added at the time of the test. In Phase I of this project, a proof-of-principle will be established in the design of a rapid point-of-care diagnostic for detection of serum IgM antibodies to dengue virus. This will lead to further development in Phase II of the capacity to de-tect, in addition, IgG antibodies to dengue virus and circulating dengue virus antigen in serum or in whole blood, all in the same test. Phase I will involve optimization of (i) antigen; (ii) conjugation of antigen to colloidal gold detector; and (iii) conjugation of the capture antibody to the oligonucleotide. In addition, the assembled test will be evaluated as to its robustness, stability, manufacturability, clinical performance, and technical per-formance.