Scientists from South Korea have developed a biosensing optical microscope to detect and measure viral particles, capable of identifying the coronavirus.
A team from the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, led by Professor Min Song, developed a light-slowing technique for a platform they named "GTIP Immunoassay Platform." According to the website "Science Daily," this technology operates using a three-layer film of materials that produces an optical phenomenon called "slow light."
Virus particles, measuring nanometers in size, affect the resonant frequency of GTIP by slowing down the light that is reflected around them. The "slow light" appears as a change in the vivid color of the reflected light, making the virus particles look like "islands" of a different color compared to the background when viewed through the microscope.
Researchers can determine the number of virus particles in different areas of the sample based on the color of the reflected light. Professor Song stated, "Compared to current diagnostic methods for COVID-19, our approach allows for rapid detection of the virus and quantification without the need for additional sample analysis."
Considering the availability of optical microscopes in most laboratories around the world, the new method can diagnose the virus at a lower cost and with greater speed.
