Imagine if we could test an entire city for a virus in a single day without spending a fortune. This project creates a high-speed 'sorting machine' for samples using tiny fluid channels and robots to find infections instantly. It's like moving from checking every single apple by hand to using a high-speed scanner that processes thousands per second.
Current PCR testing is too expensive and slow to be used for daily mass screening of populations. This forces governments to use lockdowns and other economy-damaging measures to stop virus spread.
A high-throughput PCR platform featuring microfluidic technology, robotic liquid handling, and low-cost RT-qPCR reagents.
If you are a government agency dealing with the threat of a new airborne pathogen — this project developed a testing strategy that can process >10^5 tests in a single day. This allows for early detection without needing to implement economy-damaging lockdowns.
If you are a diagnostic company dealing with high reagent costs and slow throughput — this project developed specialized microfluidic technology and robotic liquid handling. This makes PCR testing at least 2 orders of magnitude cheaper than current methods.
If you are a factory operator dealing with workforce contagion risks — this project developed an advanced sample collection method that is easy to apply and requires minimum sample preparation. This ensures business continuity by identifying infectious individuals rapidly.
The project aims to make mass PCR testing at least 2 orders of magnitude cheaper than current technology.
The system is designed to demonstrate a capacity of more than 10^5 tests in a single day on a single platform.
Based on available project data, specific IP or licensing terms are not listed, but the project includes a manufacturability assessment and legal landscape analysis.
The sampling method is designed to be seamlessly integrated within lab automation platforms to enable upscaling.
The project period runs from 2022-12-01 to 2026-11-30, indicating the technology is currently in development and testing phases.
The consortium is purely academic and research-driven, consisting of 5 partners from 4 countries (BE, DE, ES, IT). With 2 universities and 3 research organizations, there is a 0% industry ratio, suggesting the current output is high-level technical validation rather than a market-ready product. This presents a significant opportunity for industrial partners to enter for the commercialization phase.
Contact the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven research office regarding the PCR-4-ALL project.
Contact us to bridge the gap between this academic prototype and industrial scale-up.
