Samuel Sia - April 8, 2020

Sam Sia, PhD, "Point-of-care COVID diagnostics"

The Sia lab is concerned with improving point-of-care diagnostics across several types of infections and the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the issues that have been traditionally seen as barriers in the field. The group has three areas of focus in which they are trying to improve diagnostic capability. The first, in partnership with Rover Diagnostics, is to design lower cost RT-PCR tests that can be used in a variety of settings in 10 minutes or less (5 minutes for RNA extraction and 5 minutes for thermal cycling). The second initiative involves serology and creating an antibody test since right now there is no FDA approved method. SEAS Makerspace in Lasker has Biodot equipment to use for lateral flow testing and the Sia group is collaborating with David Ho to make recombinant antigens to develop a test. The third area, in conjunction with Junco labs, is to create a robust mobile tracking platform to help inform consumers about vetted care options and guidance for seeking testing, as well as where users can take pictures of home tests that are analyzed for interpretation.