Optimized and scalable synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles for RNA extraction in response to developing countries' needs in the detection and control of SARS-CoV-2

Sci Rep. 2020 Nov 4;10(1):19004. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-75798-9.

Abstract

Ecuador is one of the most affected countries, with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, in Latin America derived from an ongoing economic crisis. One of the most important methods for COVID-19 detection is the use of techniques such as real time RT-PCR based on a previous extraction/purification of RNA procedure from nasopharyngeal cells using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNP). This technique allows the processing of ~ 10,000 tests per day in private companies and around hundreds per day at local Universities guaranteeing to reach a wide range of the population. However, the main drawback of this method is the need for specialized MNP with a strong negative charge for the viral RNA extraction to detect the existence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Here we present a simplified low cost method to produce 10 g of nanoparticles in 100 mL of solution that was scaled to one litter by parallelizing the process 10 times in just two days and allowing for the possibility of making ~ 50,000 COVID-19 tests. This communication helps in reducing the cost of acquiring MNP for diverse biomolecular applications supporting developing country budgets constraints and chemical availability specially during the COVID-19 International Health Emergency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Testing
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques / methods*
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Costs and Cost Analysis*
  • Developing Countries
  • Humans
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / economics
  • RNA, Viral / chemistry
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / economics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Covid-19 aAPC vaccine
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • RNA, Viral