FREE@POC: Towards an instrument-FREE future of molecular diagnostics at the Point-Of-Care

The main purpose of Point-of-Care (POC) testing is to decrease the time between specimen collection and detection results, leading to faster intervention and treatment and reduced costs, avoiding the need of large centralized laboratories.
The project FREE@POC, started in January 2020 and funded by the H2020-Future and Emerging Technologies OPEN Program, aims to develop an instrument-free molecular diagnostic platform for infectious diseases-testing (HIV, Influenza and Covid-19) in human samples and pathogens (Xylella fastidiosa) in plant tissue. The Project is coordinated by Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas (FORTH) (Greece) and involves other 5 partners: Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (Italy), University College London Hospital (UK), GNOSIS (Greece), Institute Pasteur (France), Africa Health Research Institute (South Africa).
The overall purpose of the project is to employ a new class of molecular tools (like LAMP) for efficient and specific amplification of target nucleic acids at room temperature (RT) and in crude samples, inside disposable reaction units. This instrument-free molecular diagnostic approach will be fully quantitative thanks to a novel digital colorimetric detection method using a smartphone to capture and analyze the output. Rapid transmission of test results to the patients’ file, doctor’s office, public health officials or a phytosanitary surveillance center will also be implemented.
The end-users of the POC tests validated in the project will be healthcare workers at the hospital, intensive care unit or peripheral lab; care providers/nurses at a health post or community center; patients at home or in resource limited areas; farmers, nurserymen or plant inspection service at the field or entry-points.