Analyser kit can detect Ebola virus in less than 75 minutes

Based on the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) molecular biology technique, the kit can detect the Ebola virus in just a few microlitres of human-blood, which is diluted up to a million times to ensure accuracy. The high sensitivity of the test allows the detection of the virus at a very early stage, which can help to reduce the spread of the disease. The kit has been tested for compliance with applicable international standards by the National Institute for Infectious Diseases Spallanzani, designated by the Italian Ministry of Health as a reference centre for the care and treatment of Ebola.

The prototype analyser kit includes an extractor, a silicon microchip, specific reagents and a portable optical reader. The extractor is loaded with the blood sample and extracts the virus RNA. The silicon microchip, developed by STMicroelectronics, acts a miniaturised reactor and reproduces the process of amplification and screening of the extracted genetic material on which the extracted RNA is loaded. The reagents, developed by Clonit, then reverse-transcribes this into DNA and amplifies it according to the RT-PCR methodology. The portable optical reader, also developed by STMicroelectronics, detects the presence of viral DNA in the sample and sends the data to a PC that processes and presents them in graphical form.

STMicroelectronics and Clonit are in the process of optimising the point-of-care Ebola-detection solution for large-scale deployment. This includes minimising the threat of infection during the handling of the biological sample and lowering costs.

“This test will have important consequences for both medicine and public health,” said Giuseppe Ippolito, Scientific Director, Spallanzani Institute. “In fact, a quick diagnosis leading to the identification of patients with Ebola would result in the immediate implementation of isolation measures, thus reducing the risk of spread of infection in the community and enabling the immediate start of an appropriate treatment for the patient.”

“With the development of this technique, the Institute once again meets the need of the scientific community and of the country to develop key technologies to cope with infectious diseases," commented Valerio Fabio Alberti, Special Commissioner, Spallanzani Institute.

"We are proud to put our innovative capabilities and deep technology portfolio at the service of humanity and to bring our contribution to the fight against a serious epidemic that could threaten the entire world population,” said Andrea Cuomo, Corporate Vice President, Advanced Projects, STMicroelectronics. “Once again, STMicroelectronics’ Research demonstrates its capabilities for opening new opportunities for the microelectronics world."

"I consider this achievement of the Italian biomedical research an excellent example of collaboration between public and private organisations," commented Carlo Roccio, Chief Executive Officer, Clonit.

“The brilliant results of this cooperation stimulate our Institute to more vigorously pursue its mission to promote the development and validation of new technologies, in addition to testing the transfer of these new technologies into the national health system," said Valerio Fabio Alberti of the Spallanzani Institute.