The team will develop the new test by applying concepts from physics, not biochemistry, Jos\u00e9 Yacam\u00e1n explains. They will focus on recent discoveries in the emerging fields of nanotechnology, plasmonic nanoparticles and 2-D materials (similar to graphene).<\/p>\n
\u201cThe project team will use non-traditional techniques to detect virus in infected patients. We will develop an alternative method based on recent advances in physics related to the interaction of light with matter,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The method, Single Molecule Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SM-SERS), will detect the S proteins of the SARs-Cov-2 virus, which participate in infection at the cellular level.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ability of SM-SERS to detect as little as one molecule of protein will enable healthcare professionals to detect infection early and follow up with patients who recover from the illness.\u201d<\/p>\n
As principal investigator of the project, Jos\u00e9 Yacam\u00e1n will work in collaboration with two \u00a1MIRA! colleagues, associate professor Andy Koppisch<\/strong>, a biochemist, and associate professor of practice Rob Kellar<\/strong>, a biomedical engineer; and with Regents\u2019 Professor Paul Keim<\/strong>, a microbial geneticist, and professor Dave<\/strong> Wagner<\/strong>, a disease ecologist, both with NAU\u2019s Pathogen and Microbiome Institute<\/a> (PMI).<\/p>\n In his previous work, Jos\u00e9 Yacam\u00e1n has used surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to detect glycoproteins and sialic acid as a method of testing for breast cancer, which is now in the final approval stage for commercial use.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the case of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it was a natural extension to apply the same techniques, but it will require the expertise of our PMI colleagues, who are growing the SARS-CoV-2 virus in their labs, to succeed,\u201d he said<\/p>\n Keim, PMI executive director, said, \u201cMajor advances in science almost always occur at the interface between disciplines, and this is a great example. I think that this work between \u00a1MIRA! and PMI could be a game changer in our fight against COVID-19.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis project is a joint effort between researchers in \u00a1MIRA! and PMI,\u201d said \u00a1MIRA! director and professor Jennifer Martinez<\/strong>. \u201cIt shows the power of interdisciplinary work for creating new ideas and new funding opportunities\u2014and, most importantly, the importance of having centers of excellence to drive new research for NAU.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf successful, our research will be the first step in developing a method based on physics that will be fast and inexpensive, with high sensitivity and specificity and low percentage of false negatives Jos\u00e9 Yacam\u00e1n said. \u201cThis test will be a much more precise and reliable method to detect infections.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is conceivable that once we\u2019ve developed this test, portable Raman equipment can be used widely in many different populations; for instance, in rural or remote communities or in point-of-care stations in schools, factories, community centers and so on, in addition to traditional testing sites,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce widespread testing is underway, further analysis of the SM-SERS data will help scientists understand changes on the virus proteins and help develop antiviral drugs.\u201d<\/p>\n
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