Development of nucleic acid based lateral flow assays for SARS-CoV-2 detection

SARS-CoV-2 is still threat for humanity and its detection is crucial. Although real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction is the most reliable method for detection of N protein genes, alternative methods for molecular detection are still needed. Thus, lateral flow assay models for 2019-nCoV_ N3 were developed for molecular detection. Briefly, gold nanoparticles were used as label and three sandwich models (1A, 1B, and 1.2) were designed. Prob concentrations on gold nanoparticles, types of sandwich model and membrane, limit of detection of target gene and buffer efficiency were studied. Model 1B has shown the best results with M170 membrane. Lower limit of detection was achieved by model 1.2 as 5 pM. All parameters have significant role for molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 by lateral flow assays, and these results will be useful for nucleic acid based lateral flow assays for viral detection or multiple detection of mutated forms in various detection systems.