EU’s PAIR Project Unveils Advanced Tech to Detect Viruses Before Pandemic Outbreak

The EU-funded project PAIR is currently working on developing two advanced technologies designed to help prevent the spread of future pandemics. Despite being four years past the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the world has yet to fully recover. Interestingly, RNA respiratory viruses have been responsible for every pandemic in the last 120 years. These viruses typically originate in animals and then transfer to humans, especially under certain favorable conditions.

PAIR is focused on two key technologies: PANPOC and PANRISK.

These initiatives and technologies will initially be introduced and tested in five European countries: Denmark, France, Latvia, Italy, and Spain. Based on the results from these countries, the EU will issue new guidelines for a Europe-wide “One Health” surveillance and outbreak response system that is informed by genomics.

 

More about PANPOC

PANPOC is a device featuring an integrated heater and optical detection systems. It utilizes real-time fluorescence-based technology for detecting RNA respiratory viruses. This system is designed to serve both clinical diagnostics (for human samples) and veterinary monitoring.

The technology will enable health authorities, veterinarians, clinical users, and primary care providers to accurately detect RNA respiratory viruses.

Developed using Loop-mediated isothermal Amplification (LAMP) technology, the device operates at a constant temperature, simplifying the detection process and making it more cost-effective.

Additionally, the device’s straightforward design allows it to be operated without specialized skills. Once fully developed, the system will have the ability to simultaneously analyze 16 different samples for 3-4 different viruses. It will offer Point-of-Care testing, providing accurate, on-site results in less than an hour, and eliminating the need to transport samples to a central lab.

The PAIR initiative offers a promising approach to enhancing preparedness for future health crises and pandemics.