Portable Graphene Multiplex Electrochemical sensor for Rapid Detection of Severe Malaria-G_SensMalaria

In 2020, malaria caused more than 600,000 deaths and affected 241 million patients worldwide, representing a significant economic and healthcare burden for many countries. In response, the World Health Organization has established a malaria eradication program that has the development of early diagnostic tests as one of its main pillars. Indeed, current standard tests for malaria diagnosis (microscopy and PCR) require a fully equipped laboratory, trained personnel, and expensive equipment. In recent years, the use of lateral flow assays has revolutionized malaria diagnosis, enabling rapid responses even at the point of care. However, they generally have lower sensitivity and specificity than standard techniques and often require confirmatory analysis. Furthermore, the vast majority of lateral flow assays detect the HRP2 protein, a malaria biomarker shed by the parasite in many endemic regions. This is generating an increased number of false-negative results, which pose a significant threat to patient well-being.

The G_SensMalaria project plans to develop a multiplexed point-of-care electrochemical biosensor for the quantitative detection of up to five malaria biomarkers for diagnosis (HRP2 and LDH) and prognosis (ANG1, ANG2, and sTREM).

Specifically, this device is based on two main components: an aptamer-based electrochemical (EAB) sensor using graphene-based printed inks and a handheld reader. The use of EAB sensors enables biomarker quantification in less than 5 minutes, directly in undiluted blood. This technology uniquely combines the advantages of point-of-care sensors (speed and ease of use) with those of laboratory-based sensors (quantification).

To manufacture the graphene-based electrodes, GraphenicaLab’s patented wax-printed membrane technology will be used, which allows for the rapid and cost-effective printing of thousands of electrodes using prefunctionalized graphene (in this case with aptamers) and other nanomaterials. Additionally, leveraging Eurecat’s expertise in electrical hardware development, a portable potentiostat will be created to quantify signals from five different working electrodes and transmit the results wirelessly to a smartphone.

The final prototype will be capable of quantifying the five biomarkers in a single drop of blood, allowing medical personnel to diagnose and prognose malaria within minutes. This ambitious proposal has the potential to make a significant impact on clinical practice in both developing and developed regions. The consortium leading this project is exceptionally well positioned to undertake such an initiative, combining the clinical and biotechnological expertise of the ISGlobal team, the chemical and nanotechnology expertise of GraphenicaLab, and the electrical and engineering capabilities of Eurecat to deliver a fully functional, disruptive prototype ready for validation and commercialization.

Project details

Diagnostics
Product Development

Jan 2021

$409,114

Spain