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Towards ultra-sensitive and rapid near-source wastewater-based epidemiology

Author

Listed:
  • Da Huang

    (University College London)

  • Alyssa Thomas DeCruz

    (University College London
    University College London)

  • Dounia Cherkaoui

    (University College London
    University College London)

  • Benjamin Miller

    (University College London)

  • Diluka Peiris

    (University College London)

  • Samuel Hopgood

    (University College London
    University College London)

  • Jessica Kevill

    (Bangor University)

  • Kata Farkas

    (Bangor University)

  • Rachel Williams

    (Bangor University)

  • Davey L. Jones

    (Bangor University)

  • Rachel A. McKendry

    (University College London
    University College London)

Abstract

Wastewater-based epidemiology is emerging as a powerful early-warning public health surveillance tool. However, gold-standard PCR necessitates transporting samples to laboratories, with significant reporting delays (24-72 h), prompting growing interest in rapid, near-source tests for resource-limited settings. Research has focused on gold nanoparticle dipsticks, but these typically lack sensitivity in wastewater. Herein, we explore two complementary nanomaterial based approaches, using SARS-CoV-2 as an exemplar: 1) visually-read carbon black dipsticks; 2) spin-enhanced fluorescent nanodiamond dipsticks, exploiting selective separation from background autofluorescence. The assay provides a 2-hour turnaround from sample preparation to result with minimal equipment and achieves a limit of detection down to 7 copies per assay. A pilot study with samples from the Welsh National WBE programme finds 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity for carbon black, and 100% sensitivity, specificity for nanodiamonds. A proof-of-concept lab-in-a-suitcase nanodiamond assay tests raw, unprocessed wastewater samples. These findings lay the foundations for near-source WBE early-warning quantum sensors in the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Da Huang & Alyssa Thomas DeCruz & Dounia Cherkaoui & Benjamin Miller & Diluka Peiris & Samuel Hopgood & Jessica Kevill & Kata Farkas & Rachel Williams & Davey L. Jones & Rachel A. McKendry, 2025. "Towards ultra-sensitive and rapid near-source wastewater-based epidemiology," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63192-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63192-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Benjamin S. Miller & Léonard Bezinge & Harriet D. Gliddon & Da Huang & Gavin Dold & Eleanor R. Gray & Judith Heaney & Peter J. Dobson & Eleni Nastouli & John J. L. Morton & Rachel A. McKendry, 2020. "Spin-enhanced nanodiamond biosensing for ultrasensitive diagnostics," Nature, Nature, vol. 587(7835), pages 588-593, November.
    2. Smruthi Karthikeyan & Joshua I. Levy & Peter Hoff & Greg Humphrey & Amanda Birmingham & Kristen Jepsen & Sawyer Farmer & Helena M. Tubb & Tommy Valles & Caitlin E. Tribelhorn & Rebecca Tsai & Stefan A, 2022. "Wastewater sequencing reveals early cryptic SARS-CoV-2 variant transmission," Nature, Nature, vol. 609(7925), pages 101-108, September.
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