Paper microfluidics with deep learning for portable intelligent nucleic acid amplification tests

During global outbreaks such as COVID-19, regular nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) have posed unprecedented burden on hospital resources. Data of traditional NAATs are manually analyzed post assay. Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with on-chip assays give rise to novel analytical platforms via data-driven models. Here, we combined paper microfluidics, portable optoelectronic system with deep learning for SARS-CoV-2 detection. The system was quite streamlined with low power dissipation. Pixel by pixel signals reflecting amplification of synthesized SARS-CoV-2 templates (containing ORF1ab, N and E genes) can be real-time processed. Then, the data were synchronously fed to the neural networks for early prediction analysis. Instead of the quantification cycle (C(q)) based analytics, reaction dynamics hidden at the early stage of amplification curve were utilized by neural networks for predicting subsequent data. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the 40-cycle NAATs can be achieved at the end of 22nd cycle, reducing time cost by 45%. In particular, the attention mechanism based deep learning model trained by microfluidics-generated data can be seamlessly adapted to multiple clinical datasets including readouts of SARS-CoV-2 detection. Accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the prediction can reach up to 98.1%, 97.6% and 98.6%, respectively. The approach can be compatible with the most advanced sensing technologies and AI algorithms to inspire ample innovations in fields of fundamental research and clinical settings.