Bioinspired Point of Care Testing for HIV/HBV Co-infection

Project Summary Hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a persistent global health threat, affecting millions annually and leading to significant mortality. Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) compounds the health challenges, necessitating accurate diagnostics for effective management. Our project aims to develop a cost-effective and user-friendly point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tool, employing a novel CamoChip technology for highly sensitive and multiplex biomarker testing. This innovation, integrated with an AI-based algorithm, offers the potential to empower healthcare providers, enabling tailored treatment and the prevention of new infections. Our approach centers on a microchip utilizing color-encoded beads coated with antibodies for the capture of vital biomarkers, including HIV-1 RNA, HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg, and ALT. The microchip's camouflaging mechanism ensures biomarker identification, making it an ideal candidate for widespread use in diverse healthcare settings. Our project is structured around three specific aims. Specific Aim 1 focuses on designing and coating color-encoded beads for biomarker capture. Specific Aim 2 seeks to enhance the camouflaging reaction on the microchip. Specific Aim 3 involves engineering a cost-effective and portable microfluidic device for mass production, ensuring ease of use and compatibility with diverse testing scenarios and environments. The proposed CamoChip approach integrates serological and molecular tests for HIV and HBV co- infection into a single platform, eliminating the need for separate tests and visits. It reduces delays in treatment initiation and monitoring, enhancing patient care. CamoChip's user-friendly design and simplified interpretation, utilizing color-encoding and AI, enable rapid diagnosis and monitoring within minutes, allowing healthcare providers to make timely treatment decisions during the same visit. Designed for POC testing, CamoChip is accessible in diverse healthcare settings, including remote or resource-limited areas. Its portability and ease of use ensure optimal outcomes for patients with HIV and HBV co-infection. Adhering closely to CDC and WHO guidelines, CamoChip empowers healthcare providers to deliver high-quality care with confidence and efficiency, even in challenging clinical settings.