Modifying a Glucose Detecter to Find Zika

A team of researchers at the University of Alberta is seeking to transform a glucose detector into a point-of-care diagnostic for Zika. Virologists led by Tom Hobman reported in February that they were starting to make antibodies of the virus, identifying peptides required for the assay. The next step is to screen the Zika virus antibodies against the Zika protein that they want to detect. At the same time they need to ensure the target antibodies don't cross-react with the closely related dengue virus proteins.

Another researcher, Thomas Thundat, has expertise making miniature chemical and biological sensors with high sensitivity and selectivity. And then Ingenuity Lab director Carlo Montemagno will lead a group that will produce both the receptor molecule for targets identified by Hobman's team and the coatings that will be applied to the detectors that Thundat's lab will develop. 

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