Quantification of a COVID-19 Antibody Assay Using a Lateral Flow Test and a Cell Phone

Abstract

Although several biomedical assays have been developed to screen for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, very few can be completed without drawing blood. We developed a rapid lateral flow screening tool that used saliva samples and yielded rapid results that could be quantified using a cell phone. This assay provided the sensitive detection of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 within 10 min. We started by synthesising, modifying, and characterising gold nanoparticles. Using these particles as a coloured label, we developed a lateral flow strip made of nitrocellulose, glass fibre, and cellulose material. We quantified our visual results using pictures acquired with a cell phone and calculated a limit of detection of 4 ng/mL of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.