# Building UI VDL COVID-19 test capacity: evaluating a SARS-CoV-2 LAMP assay for animal samples

> **NIH FDA U18** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN · 2022 · $67,149

## Abstract

Project Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has lasted for two years and caused millions of infections and deaths in humans.
Potentially through initial human-to-animal and animal-to animal transmission events, lots of animals such as
minks were infected with SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in at least 18 animal species consisting
of pet, captive, farm, and wild animals. It still remains unclear about the origin of SARS-CoV-2. Clinical testing is
one of important steps to contain Covid-19 pandemic and monitor the virus evolution. Molecular tests are
commonly used for SARS-CoV-2 and RT-LAMP is a powerful molecular assay for SARS-CoV-2 testing because
of its high specificity and sensitivity, cost-effectiveness, and fast turnaround time. In this proposal, we request
funding to build testing capacity at the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UI VDL) to perform
a RT-LAMP test for animal samples. All commercial SARS-CoV-2 RT-LAMP test kits are developed for human
use and there is a need to perform evaluation of RT-LAMP test for animal samples. In this project, we evaluate
a commercial SARS-CoV-2 RT-LAMP kit for animal samples collected in the UI VDL. The same set of positive
and negative samples used for RT-LAMP will be also tested by real-time RT-PCR for comparison. The validated
RT-LAMP diagnostic assay can be used for testing SARS-CoV-2 in samples of different animal species.
Therefore, the validated RT-LAMP will make UI VDL ready for responding to SARS-CoV-2 outbreak investigation
and surveillance in animals. The proposed study will enhance the capabilities of the Vet-LIRN laboratories to
respond quickly to Covid-19 outbreaks in animals, which will have important impacts for both human and
veterinary health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10609711
- **Project number:** 1U18FD007723-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
- **Principal Investigator:** Leyi Wang
- **Activity code:** U18 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** FDA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $67,149
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10609711

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10609711, Building UI VDL COVID-19 test capacity: evaluating a SARS-CoV-2 LAMP assay for animal samples (1U18FD007723-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10609711. Licensed CC0.

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