Microfluidic Device-Based Virus Detection and Quantification in Future Diagnostic Research: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Published in: Biosensors (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 10; p. 935
• Main Authors: Escobar, Andres, Diab-Liu, Alex, Bosland, Kamaya, Xu, Chang-qing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.10.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Biomedical microelectromechanical systems; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Diagnostic software; Diagnostic tests; diagnostics; Engineering research; Epidemics; Global economy; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Identification and classification; Infections; Infectious diseases; Measurement; Microfluidic devices; Microfluidics; Outbreaks; pandemic-readiness; Pandemics; Public health; R&D; Research & development; Review; Reviews; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; RNA viruses; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Technology; Viral diseases; Viral infections; Viruses; Canada
• ISSN: 2079-6374; 2079-6374
• DOI: 10.3390/bios13100935

The global economic and healthcare crises experienced over the past three years, as a result of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has significantly impacted the commonplace habits of humans around the world. SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) phenomenon, has contributed to the deaths of millions of people around the world. The potential diagnostic applications of microfluidic devices have previously been demonstrated to effectively detect and quasi-quantify several different well-known viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza, and SARS-CoV-2. As a result, microfluidics has been further explored as a potential alternative to our currently available rapid tests for highly virulent diseases to better combat and manage future potential outbreaks. The outbreak management during COVID-19 was initially hindered, in part, by the lack of available quantitative rapid tests capable of confirming a person’s active infectiousness status. Therefore, this review will explore the use of microfluidic technology, and more specifically RNA-based virus detection methods, as an integral part of improved diagnostic capabilities and will present methods for carrying the lessons learned from COVID-19 forward, toward improved diagnostic outcomes for future pandemic-level threats. This review will first explore the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and how diagnostic technology was shown to have required even greater advancements to keep pace with the transmission of such a highly infectious virus. Secondly, the historical significance of integrating microfluidic technology in diagnostics and how the different types of genetic-based detection methods may vary in their potential practical applications. Lastly, the review will summarize the past, present, and future potential of RNA-based virus detection/diagnosis and how it might be used to better prepare for a future pandemic.