(1/n) Excited to share Handyfuge-LAMP; a low-cost & electricity-free centrifugation for isothermal SARS-CoV-2 detection in saliva. With COVID19 cases increasing globally, diagnostics needs to be accessible to everyone - including resource limited regions medrxiv.org/content/10.110…
(2/n)This simple electricity-free LAMP protocol builds on fantastic work by Cepko lab at Harvard [medrxiv.org/content/10.110…], but with ahand powered centrifuge to make this assay completely electricity free for resource constrained settings. All you need is everything in this pic. 
(3/n) If you would like to try it, here is the visual summary of every step of the way; with centrifugation steps linked below.
(4/n) We have been developing many frugal tools for applications in diagnostics - including other hand held centrifugation techniques (#paperfuge) for many years. The advantage for handyfuge is increased stability and limited fluctuations in RPM and it matches covid test need.
(5/n) This work started from a flash light I picked up from a toy store that was closing. My toddlers were kind enough to let me steal their toy which Ethan, @anesta_k and I in the lab hacked to build centrifuge. Toddlers at home still ask what happened to the little pig!
(6/n) Once we had the centrifuge optimized, @planktonico jumped and single handedly adapted the LAMP assay. Our hope is this helps bring LAMP assay to communities with limited resources. We are moving towards validation in the field. This test is not FDA approved as yet!
(7/n) We are releasing "handyfuge" files as open hardware CERN-OHL-W license. To build handyfuge, get yourself a $5 flash light and download laser cutter files at GitHub page: github.com/ethanjli/handy…
(8/n) Thanks again for everyone in scientific community that has been sharing results rapidly. The whole lab has been under a lot of stress to get tools & solutions to communities world wide. I will try to put structured updates here web.stanford.edu/group/prakash-…
(9/n) As the numbers keep rising both in our backyard & globally, this disease will also make tremendous negative impact on already weak health care systems. I spoke to researchers in Bolivia yesterday & single COVID test can be as expensive as $100 per test! That makes no sense.
(10/n) We urgently need coherent global strategies instead of every country/state/county for itself. We need to re-engineer supply chain. Bring distributed manufacturing to the table. Share solutions and IP openly. Actually follow public health policy and scientific guidelines.
