Funding granted for Gisborne researchers' speedy Covid-19 test

NATIONAL HOPE: The dnature lab where a contact tracing app is being developed. File picture by Paul Rickard

A smartphone app that can produce a Covid-19 test result in 15 minutes is part of Gisborne-based dnature's development of a rapid on-site DNA diagnostic test.

Development of such a test, and the continued development of a test kit dnature is already supplying, has been accelerated through funding from the Health Research Council.

Dnature diagnostics and research director John Mackay and his team have been working on ideas for faster testing methods.

The $196,570 funding means they can scale up some of the more expensive parts of development, as well as the production of test kits and research, says Mr Mackay.

“There is a strong desire for decentralised diagnostics. The new kit will be a DNA diagnostic but with totally different technology. We need a DNA diagnostic that doesn't run on the machines at a lab.”

The mobile phone app will mean swab samples do not need to be sent away for testing — a process which can take up to 48 hours to get a result at a specialised laboratory— but can be done on-site within minutes.

The app will be developed by a team led by former Gisborne opthalmologist Hong Sheng Chiong.

“He was keen to be part of the project,” said Mr Mackay. “He was already working on smartphone apps.

“If you're up the Coast, the smartphone will be the only equipment you need for a DNA diagnostic.”

Collaborators on the project include Auckland, Gisborne and Dunedin-based clinicians, as well as principal scientists from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research.

While the rapid DNA diagnostic is six to eight months away from release, dnature has helped establish Covid-19 testing in New Zealand, and has launched its own testing kit.

The kit has shown high sensitivity and test confidence due to its multiplex format (multiple tests in one tube).

This new test will enable higher throughput testing in laboratories.

It will be a “one-and-done” test, says Mr Mackay.

“We thought there was room for improvement in the tests and improved sensitivity will ensure a true positive. At the moment the focus is on sourcing more diagnostics. We have good contacts for supplies and reagents and we have already made some improvements to methods.”

Although social distancing and increased hygiene awareness might mean the upcoming influenza season is mild this year, dnature is seeking to improve test sensitivity to distinguish quickly between a flu virus and the novel coronavirus.

“This means the rapid method will have two test,” said Mr Mackay.

“We're coming into the flu season. Rather than say ‘it's not Covid' after a test, we're targeting one major flu strain at the moment that affects the elderly.

“We're trying to shorten the test time. If a sick person turns up we can tell them if they have Covid or flu.”

Unlike other projects, the rapid test dnature is developing can be used for widespread community surveillance in cities and regional New Zealand.

“When you have low amounts of disease, that's the result of good diagnostic process.”