Researchers have created an exciting new technique for detecting biomarkers in wastewater with the use of origami-paper sensors. This advancement allows for the tracking of infectious diseases through a mobile phone camera. The testing device is affordable and quick, potentially revolutionizing public health responses during future pandemic situations.
Researchers at Cranfield University have created an exciting new technique for detecting biomarkers in wastewater with the use of origami-paper sensors. This advancement allows for the tracking of infectious diseases through a mobile phone camera. The testing device is affordable and quick, potentially revolutionizing public health responses during future pandemic situations.
Wastewater as a key tool for tracking infections
Examining wastewater is a primary method for gauging the spread of infectious diseases within communities. Researchers collect samples from various wastewater treatment facilities across the nation to determine which regions have the highest infection levels. This technique was utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic to monitor community infection rates and inform public health strategies.
Zhugen Yang, the Professor of Biosensing and Environmental Health at Cranfield University, spearheaded the creation of these sentinel sensors. This work builds upon his earlier research in 2020 that aimed to develop a test to detect SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19), as well as Influenza A and B, in wastewater using paper-based technology combined with a UV light or a mobile phone camera.
Traditionally, the most precise methods for testing wastewater samples involved techniques like the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which needed to be conducted in specialized laboratories by trained professionals. This process requires that samples must be collected, preserved, and transported in a refrigerated manner to the laboratory, which can take several days and tends to be expensive.
‘Origami’ folded paper test read by mobile phone
The new testing approach is quick, easy to use, and portable. Wastewater samples are applied to a wax-printed paper sheet that has been folded into an ‘origami’ shape. This paper incorporates chemicals that react to specific disease markers, causing the paper to emit a fluorescent color. Results can be quickly interpreted and data captured using a mobile phone camera.
Professor Yang developed this innovative method as part of the national COVID-19 wastewater surveillance initiative. During the peak of the pandemic in 2021, he conducted field trials in four quarantine hotels near Heathrow Airport. The entire process from sample collection to result reporting took less than 90 minutes, compared to approximately four hours for a PCR test. Notably, tests were performed in the basement of one hotel with minimal equipment. The findings suggested that this new device achieves accuracy comparable to the PCR test but at a significantly lower cost, also offering early warnings of community disease presence. It is particularly beneficial for regions with limited resources due to its simplicity, affordability, and rapid output of results.
Professor Yang noted, “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we demonstrated that swift community sewage analysis is an effective means of monitoring infectious diseases and aiding in public health management. Our straightforward test costs only £1 and utilizes the widely available camera feature on mobile phones, making it easily accessible. This could potentially transform how we anticipate disease occurrences and enhance public health during future pandemics.”
The device was highlighted at the London Science Museum, acknowledging its contributions to the National Wastewater Surveillance Programme throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
Further advancements of this test are being sponsored by the Leverhulme Trust Research Leadership Scheme and a grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. In the future, it may be used to monitor new variants and evaluate whether they are continuing to spread in the community, as well as to track antimicrobial resistance from a comprehensive health perspective.
“Paper microfluidic sentinel sensor enables rapid and on-site wastewater surveillance in community settings” has been published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, with contributions from scientists at the University of Glasgow and Zhejiang University in China.
