Efficient SARS-CoV-2 Quantitative Reverse Transcriptase PCR Saliva Diagnostic Strategy utilizing Open-Source Pipetting RobotsRachel E. Ham *1, Austin R. Smothers *1,2, Kylie L. King 1, Justin M. Napolitano 1, Theodore J. Swann 3, Lesslie G. Pekarek 4, Mark A. Blenner *1,5,6, Delphine Dean *1,2
1Center for Innovative Medical Devices and Sensors (REDDI Lab), Clemson University, 2Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, 3Swann Medicine, 4Student Health Services, Clemson University, 5Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, 6Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware
The protocol describes a SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic method that utilizes open-source automation to perform RT-qPCR molecular testing of saliva samples. This scalable approach can be applied to clinical public health surveillance as well as to increase the capacity of smaller university laboratories.