Conexiant
Login
  • The Analytical Scientist
  • The Cannabis Scientist
  • The Medicine Maker
  • The Ophthalmologist
  • The Pathologist
  • The Traditional Scientist
The Pathologist
  • Explore Pathology

    Explore

    • Latest
    • Insights
    • Case Studies
    • Opinion & Personal Narratives
    • Research & Innovations
    • Product Profiles

    Featured Topics

    • Molecular Pathology
    • Infectious Disease
    • Digital Pathology

    Issues

    • Latest Issue
    • Archive
  • Subspecialties
    • Oncology
    • Histology
    • Cytology
    • Hematology
    • Endocrinology
    • Neurology
    • Microbiology & Immunology
    • Forensics
    • Pathologists' Assistants
  • Training & Education

    Career Development

    • Professional Development
    • Career Pathways
    • Workforce Trends

    Educational Resources

    • Guidelines & Recommendations
    • App Notes

    Events

    • Webinars
    • Live Events
  • Events
    • Live Events
    • Webinars
  • Profiles & Community

    People & Profiles

    • Power List
    • Voices in the Community
    • Authors & Contributors
  • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
Subscribe
Subscribe

False

The Pathologist / Issues / 2022 / Oct / Quick Hits: SARS-CoV-2 Edition
Microbiology & Immunology Microbiology and Immunology Point of care testing Technology and innovation Infectious Disease

Quick Hits: SARS-CoV-2 Edition

A speedy summary of the latest SARS-CoV-2 research

By Georgia Hulme 10/12/2022 News 2 min read

Share

Captain MARVE
 

A simple, paper-based assay – named MARVE – promises rapid colorimetric detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants (1). By using a nucleic acid strand displacement process, the assay can recognize and distinguish viral RNA mutations. The new tool represents a potential solution for the lack of scalable diagnostic tools for SARS-CoV-2 variants, which has previously hindered surveillance of mutational evolution.

Sewage science
 

Scientists have called for wastewater surveillance to spearhead epidemiological monitoring of infectious pathogens (2). They argue that wastewater testing provides a valuable population-level view of disease, shows promise in detecting antimicrobial-resistant strains, and can fill the gap where current diagnostic tests fall short.

Credit: Image sourced from Rawpixel.com

In other wastewater news…
 

Researchers have tested the effectiveness of a new wastewater surveillance method for monitoring spatiotemporal viral dynamics (3). By deep sequencing 3,413 samples across Austria, the method was able to robustly deduct relative SARS-CoV-2 variant frequencies with high spatiotemporal resolution and reduced sample numbers and logistical effort.

Spitting distance
 

Researchers have developed an RNA-extraction-free test for rapidly detecting SARS-CoV-2 in saliva via Cas13 (4). When validated against qPCR nasal-swab samples, the test achieved 94 percent sensitivity and 100 percent specificity. Rapid point-of-care RNA testing could broaden the use of SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnostics.

Golden chips
 

A dual method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in saliva and blood plasma has been developed using an electrochemical lab-on-a-chip platform (5). The user-friendly device can identify SARS-CoV-2 RNA and relevant antibodies in clinically relevant quantities, and could one day help quickly and easily monitor both infection and immune status of COVID-19 patients.

Newsletters

Receive the latest pathology news, personalities, education, and career development – weekly to your inbox.

Newsletter Signup Image

References

  1. T Zhang et al., Nat Biomed Eng, 6, 957 (2022). PMID: 35835993.
  2. MB Diamond et al., Nat Med, [Online ahead of print] (2022). PMID: 36076085.
  3. F Amman et al., Nat Biotechnol, [Online ahead of print] (2022). PMID: 35851376.
  4. SS Chandrasekaran et al., Nat Biomed Eng, 6, 944 (2022). PMID: 35953650.
  5. D Najjar et al., Nat Biomed Eng, 6, 968 (2022). PMID: 35941191.

About the Author(s)

Georgia Hulme

Associate Editor for the Pathologist

More Articles by Georgia Hulme

Explore More in Pathology

Dive deeper into the world of pathology. Explore the latest articles, case studies, expert insights, and groundbreaking research.

False

Advertisement

Recommended

False

Related Content

Context Matters in Cancer Biology
Microbiology and Immunology
Context Matters in Cancer Biology

December 27, 2021

1 min read

Akoya is leading the way with spatial phenotypic signatures – a novel class of biomarkers for predicting response to immunotherapy

What’s New in Infectious Disease? (December 2021)
Microbiology and Immunology
What’s New in Infectious Disease?

December 23, 2021

1 min read

The latest research and news on COVID-19 and the infectious disease landscape

Immunology Insights
Microbiology and Immunology
Immunology Insights

January 13, 2022

1 min read

The latest research in pathology and laboratory medicine

2021: A Laboratory Medicine Roundup
Microbiology and Immunology
2021: A Laboratory Medicine Roundup

January 18, 2022

3 min read

From transgender health care to the power of pathology podcasts, we take a look at our most popular articles of the last year

False

The Pathologist
Subscribe

About

  • About Us
  • Work at Conexiant Europe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 Texere Publishing Limited (trading as Conexiant), with registered number 08113419 whose registered office is at Booths No. 1, Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, England, WA16 8GS.