A living yeast biosensor for diagnostic applications

Unmet Medical Need: There is an unmet need for low-cost, sensitive, specific, simple, and rapid diagnostics to efficiently identify viral infections, such as SARS-CoV-2, that can be performed at home and at scale. The At-Home Antigen Lateral Flow Assays diagnostics can be used at home but remain >$10/test because of manufacturing, shipping, and storing antibodies. LAMP-based diagnostics offer molecular accuracy at home but also remain cost-prohibitive for routine testing >$50/test

Envisioned Healthcare Product: The biosensor is a superior diagnostic by engineering live yeast using synthetic biology. It eliminates the need for expensive equipment and additional reagents by engineering yeast to produce red pigment in response to a given pathogen. Dried yeast can be globally distributed as an inexpensive, safe, simple, and reliable alternative to other diagnostics for routine testing.