Breakthrough Has COVID Implications.

• Position: HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGING

A new method using holographic imaging to detect both viruses and antibodies--a breakthrough that has the potential to aid in medical diagnoses and, specifically, those related to the COVID-19 pandemic--has been developed by a team of New York University scientists.

"Our approach is based on physical principles that have not previously been used for diagnostic testing," explains David Grier, professor of physics. "We can detect antibodies and viruses by literally watching them stick to specially prepared test beads."

If fully realized, this proposed test could be done in under 30 minutes, is highly accurate, and can be performed by minimally trained personnel. Moreover, the method can test for either the virus (current infection) or antibodies (immunity).

The scientists--doctoral candidates Kaitlynn Snyder and Rushna Quddus; professor of chemistry Kent Kirshenbaum; professor of physics Andy Hollingsworth; and Grier--base their test on holographic video microscopy, which uses laser beams to record holograms of their test beads.

The surfaces of the beads are activated with biochemical binding sites that attract either antibodies or virus particles, depending on the intended test. Binding...