Direct SARS-CoV-2 Detection System Utilizing Simple-to-UseCapillary Gel Electrophoresis Sample-to-Result

Aim: We present a Direct SARS-CoV-2 Detection System that achieves sample-to-results in less than two hours in three simple steps. Methods: The Detection System includes Direct one-step Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR) reagents (Qexp-MDx kit), a portable thermal cycler (Qampmini) with a preprogrammed chip and a simple-to-use Capillary Gel Electrophoresis system (Qsep Series Bio-Fragment Analyzer) with high fluorescence detection sensitivity to solve the problems associated with traditional real-time PCR (qPCR) systems which produces high false positive results. Results: The proposed simple-to-use detection platform can provide high detection sensitivity (identify less than 20 copies) and fast results (less than 120 minutes), which would be suitable for field testing applications. Conclusion: Our high detection sensitivity platform provides fast and accurate results in 120 minutes without doing DNA/RNA extraction.