AUTHOR=Kellner Max J. , Ross James J. , Schnabl Jakob , Dekens Marcus P. S. , Matl Martin , Heinen Robert , Grishkovskaya Irina , Bauer Benedikt , Stadlmann Johannes , Menéndez-Arias Luis , Straw Andrew D. , Fritsche-Polanz Robert , Traugott Marianna , Seitz Tamara , Zoufaly Alexander , Födinger Manuela , Wenisch Christoph , Zuber Johannes , Vienna COVID-19 Detection Initiative (VCDI) , Pauli Andrea , Brennecke Julius TITLE=A Rapid, Highly Sensitive and Open-Access SARS-CoV-2 Detection Assay for Laboratory and Home Testing JOURNAL=Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences VOLUME=9 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/molecular-biosciences/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2022.801309 DOI=10.3389/fmolb.2022.801309 ISSN=2296-889X ABSTRACT=

RT-qPCR-based diagnostic tests play important roles in combating virus-caused pandemics such as Covid-19. However, their dependence on sophisticated equipment and the associated costs often limits their widespread use. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification after reverse transcription (RT-LAMP) is an alternative nucleic acid detection method that overcomes these limitations. Here, we present a rapid, robust, and sensitive RT-LAMP-based SARS-CoV-2 detection assay. Our 40-min procedure bypasses the RNA isolation step, is insensitive to carryover contamination, and uses a colorimetric readout that enables robust SARS-CoV-2 detection from various sample types. Based on this assay, we have increased sensitivity and scalability by adding a nucleic acid enrichment step (Bead-LAMP), developed a version for home testing (HomeDip-LAMP), and identified open-source RT-LAMP enzymes that can be produced in any molecular biology laboratory. On a dedicated website, rtlamp.org (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6033689), we provide detailed protocols and videos. Our optimized, general-purpose RT-LAMP assay is an important step toward population-scale SARS-CoV-2 testing.