Engineering DNAzyme-gold nanoparticle diagnostic device

Mosquitos carry many infectious pathogens that can significantly affect a patient's health as*well as other people that the patients come into contact with. Currently, there is a major global*scare with the transmission of the Zika virus, which has been implicated in cerebral brain*malformations among fetuses and newborns. Given advances in transportation vehicles,*there is a significant risk of the virus being imported back to countries where the mosquitos*carry it are found. There remains an urgent need to develop simple methods to rapidly*diagnose Zika virus infection as it continues to spread to new locations. Rapid diagnosis in*areas with reduced access to testing laboratories will allow appropriate management of*pregnant women who become infected and implement control measures as the virus spreads*to new, often remote areas. Here, in this project, our aim is to develop a unique colour-based*test using nanotechnology components to be able to rapidly diagnose patients that are*presenting symptoms for the Zika virus, as well as two other important mosquito borne*viruses, dengue and chikungunya virus. Testing of the 3 viruses is important to determine*proper treatment, as patients infected with either of three viruses may present the same*symptoms. We will further develop a smartphone readout system that enables the*quantification and monitoring of transmission of Zika virus. A team consisting of an engineer*and two medical doctors is assembled to build and test this diagnostic device. Our*commercial partners have the infrastructure to build the device and reagents, test the*diagnostic systems, and to globally sell and distribute the technology for use in patient care.