Breakthrough Luminescent Test Offers One-Minute COVID-19 Results

Japanese scientists have devised a rapid COVID-19 test using a luminescent chemical derived from crustaceans. The team from the Japan Science and Technology Agency utilized imidazopyrazinone-type (IPT) compounds, which can glow upon encountering specific proteins, including the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

The test, based on biomolecule-catalysing chemiluminescence (BCL), can provide results within one minute, outperforming current rapid point-of-care tests. The IPT luciferin could be added to untreated saliva for a straightforward “mix and read” test, potentially adapting the approach to detect other viruses with spike-like proteins.