KAUST researchers are developing iSCAN, a rapid, field-deployable COVID-19 test using RT-LAMP coupled with CRISPR-Cas12. The iSCAN system is designed for rapid, specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 and can be deployed by untrained personnel. The researchers are benchmarking iSCAN against commercial kits and seeking emergency use authorization from the Saudi FDA. Why it matters: A rapid, accurate, and field-deployable COVID-19 test could significantly improve pandemic management and control in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
KAUST researchers have developed a CRISPR-Cas system using a heat-stable Cas13 protein (TccCas13a) from Thermoclostridium caenicola, compatible with RT-LAMP for rapid viral detection. The new assay, named OPTIMA-dx, enhances the specificity of RT-LAMP tests by reducing false positives in SARS-CoV-2 detection. The team, led by Dr. Magdy Mahfouz and doctoral student Ahmed Mahas, is transitioning the product to a startup phase for commercialization. Why it matters: This innovation could significantly improve point-of-care diagnostics for COVID-19 and other infections by providing a more accurate and easier-to-use testing method.
A KAUST-led team developed NIRVANA, a portable, briefcase-sized device for rapid detection and sequencing of SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and other viruses. The test utilizes isothermal recombinase amplification (RPA) and was validated on clinical samples and wastewater. NIRVANA can differentiate SARS-CoV-2 strains and doesn't require expensive infrastructure. Why it matters: This innovation enables rapid, decentralized virus detection and surveillance, crucial for pandemic response and monitoring new variants across the region.
The KAUST Pathogen Genomics Laboratory (PGL), led by Professor Arnab Pain, is using DNA and RNA sequencing to study the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The lab is part of KAUST's Rapid Research Response Team (R3T), supporting Saudi healthcare stakeholders in combating COVID-19. Pain and his Ph.D. student Sharif Hala are partnering with the Saudi-CDC and Ministry of Health hospitals to sequence Saudi SARS-CoV-2 samples. Why it matters: This effort provides crucial data for understanding and monitoring the virus's spread and evolution within the Kingdom, informing public health strategies.
KAUST researchers are developing a streamlined COVID-19 diagnostic testing method using superparamagnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The team, led by Assistant Professor Mo Li, aims to address reagent shortages and improve automation by creating an in-house extraction kit compatible with inactivated samples. Associate Professor Samir Hamdan identified a protocol for making silica-coated MNPs that survive inactivation reagents, enabling magnetic separation without centrifugation. Why it matters: This innovation could significantly increase testing capacity in Saudi Arabia and globally by reducing biosafety risks, reagent dependence, and manual processing.
KAUST's Rapid Research Response Team (R3T), including Professor Samir Hamdan, is working to understand and counteract the spread of COVID-19. The team assembled a complete homemade, one-step RT-PCR test, comparable to commercial kits, with a patent-free manufacturing recipe. KAUST R3T is also researching faster, more accurate point-of-care tests, including a CRISPR-based molecular test. Why it matters: This research provides accessible testing solutions and contributes to more effective and rapid detection methods for combating viral spread in the region and globally.
KAUST researchers have discovered that combining ultraviolet sunlight with phages increases the susceptibility of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to sunlight disinfection. This breakthrough addresses the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, as the rate of discovering new antibiotics has slowed. The team demonstrated this method's effectiveness against a pathogenic E. coli strain found in Saudi wastewater. Why it matters: This research offers a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics, particularly relevant in regions like Singapore and the GCC where treated wastewater is a crucial water supply source.
KAUST and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) are collaborating to develop bioelectronic sensors for rapid pathogen detection. These sensors aim to provide cheap and accurate results, potentially replacing conventional lab tests. A COVID-19 saliva test developed by KAUST researchers showed comparable sensitivity to PCR tests with a 15-minute turnaround. Why it matters: This partnership accelerates the development of novel diagnostic tools, which could improve healthcare accessibility in remote areas and low-income countries within the region.