# Multiplexed Airborne Virus Collection and Detection at the Point-of-Care

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2021 · $357,315

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the most recent emerging pathogen that
causes the current pandemic of COVID-19. Although the main transmission routes for SARS-CoV-2 considered
by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are respiratory droplets and close contact, mounting
evidences have emerged that virus transmission likely also occurs by aerosols. Similarly, influenza viruses (FluV)
are transmitted via respiratory droplets, aerosols, and contact. More importantly, co-infection with FluV and
SARS-CoV-2 has been observed in patients. With expected concurrent circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and FluV in
the future, multiplexed collection and detection of various airborne viruses are desirable for studying transmission
routes, planning and allocating resources, and mitigating the impact on public health.
 The collection of airborne viruses requires air samplers, ideally with two following features. One is to have
the collected samples analyzed at the point-of-care (POC), rather than being sent to a lab with a delay of 1-2
days in reporting the test results. The second feature is to efficiently collect virus aerosols directly into a liquid,
rather than onto a filter, for subsequent virus analysis. While liquid impingers are effective in collecting
microparticles (such as bacteria), they are less so for nanoparticles such as viruses. To realize these features,
we have developed (1) a Viable Virus Aerosol Sampler (VIVAS) that shows high collection efficiency of virus
particles by enlarging nanometer-sized virus aerosols into micrometer-sized droplets through water vapor
condensation; and (2) a Valve-enabled Lysis, paper-based RNA Enrichment, and RNA Amplification Device
(VLEAD) that carries out virus lysis and washing steps without pipetting, followed by reverse transcription loop-
mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) for accurate genetic identification. In this proposed research, we
aim to integrate VIVAS with VLEAD for multiplexed airborne virus collection and detection at POC, assess the
integrated system for collection and multiplexed detection of SARS-CoV-2 and FluV, and validate the system in
real-world applications by surveying airborne viruses in a health clinic and public venues.
 The significance of the proposed research lies in the following aspects. First, it will lead to an innovative
system that can collect and detect airborne SARS-CoV-2 and FluV at POC, which will help address a major
public health concern (i.e., current COVID-19 pandemic and expected concurrent circulation with FluV in the flu
seasons). Second, the integrated system will provide a critically important tool to study the role of airborne route
in virus transmission. If confirmed, appropriate personal protection equipment and other remedies will be
employed to reduce infections among healthcare workers and the general public. Third, the system is capable
of conducting environmental surveillance via efficient col...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10182452
- **Project number:** 1R01AI158868-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Z. Hugh Fan
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $357,315
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-03-01 → 2025-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10182452

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10182452, Multiplexed Airborne Virus Collection and Detection at the Point-of-Care (1R01AI158868-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10182452. Licensed CC0.

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