# Point-of-care diagnostic for amplification and detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA

> **NIH NIH R43** · LYNNTECH, INC. · 2021 · $260,571

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in late 2019 and has rapidly
spread around the world. We propose the development of a diagnostic assay that will exhibit a low limit of
detection of SARS-CoV-2 via a unique viral RNA amplification process. By developing a method to enrich viral
RNAs over eukaryotic or bacterial RNAs we can lower the limit of detection and potentially reduce the level of
false positives and negatives observed when using RT-based diagnostics. As this method is specific for viral
RNA in general, it will can be used for other human ssRNA viral pathogens, such as Zika or Dengue. The
broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will be
the development of a new step in viral RNA detection, usable for detecting SARS-CoV-2, but also other ssRNA
viruses. By using an isothermal approach to amplify viral RNA our device will eliminate the need for
expensive equipment, which increases access to testing. The proposed work will validate the specificity of
the enzyme toward viral RNAs, develop a system to extract and detect these RNAs, and lower the detection
limit for POC or at-home diagnostics.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10324780
- **Project number:** 1R43AI165117-01
- **Recipient organization:** LYNNTECH, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Karl Gorzelnik
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $260,571
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-07-02 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10324780

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10324780, Point-of-care diagnostic for amplification and detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA (1R43AI165117-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10324780. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*