A new study published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials revealed that researchers from the Pennsylvania State University have developed the first-ever rapid test for Mpox, more commonly known as monkeypox, that uses nanoparticles to detect the highly infectious disease within minutes.

At present, the swab lesion tests taken by healthcare providers are sent to labs to be tested, which can take several days. Despite its constraints of difficult sample collection, transportation, and poor access to modern instrumental facilities, PCR is the only FDA-approved test for Mpox.

Now, a team of researchers has developed a novel selective molecular sensor that can detect the virus within minutes without the use of any high-end instrumental techniques like polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

The sensor uses nanomaterial heterostructures as building blocks to create a platform technology suitable for detecting trace amounts of genetic materials in biological samples. Dr. Dipanjan Pan, Professor of Nanomedicine, stated that the team was interested in developing a sensitive detection method for pathogens in general as well as applying the concept to an emerging pathogen like MPOX because rapid nucleic acid testing is needed in the real world.

He explained that the same method can be applied to specifically detect other viruses, bacteria, or fungi by slightly modifying the molecules used for targeting the genetic sequences.

(Source: https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1071729 )