In most developed countries, the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is proceeding smoothly, and attention is now shifting to other aspects of combating the virus that has significantly changed our lives.

One of the most critical aspects of the COVID-19 fight is early detection of the virus. Since it can be transmitted before symptoms manifest and many individuals with the disease remain asymptomatic, early detection of COVID-19 is crucial to slowing its spread.

Help may be coming from slightly unconventional sources. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is supporting a sensor that can be injected under the skin to continuously monitor for the presence of COVID-19.

The platform supported by DARPA does not look for the virus itself; instead, it tracks the subject's vital signs and can flag the presence of viral infection two days before symptoms appear.

This is convenient for slowing the spread of COVID-19, as it aligns with the 48-hour window before symptom onset during which infected individuals can transmit the disease to others.

Biosensors developed in collaboration with PROFUSA can also be used to detect the effects of influenza-like viruses on the human body.

The sensor is just one of many projects supported by DARPA aimed at addressing the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Injectable Biosensor

The injectable sensor supported by DARPA consists of two distinct parts: a 3 mm hydrogel strand—a cross-linked network of hydrophilic polymers—and an electronic signal detector.

The hydrogel strand is injected under the subject's skin. It contains a specially designed molecule that emits a fluorescent signal when it detects signs of the body's response to viral infection, including sudden changes in oxygen levels.

The detector receives the signal and is placed on the skin surface outside the body. In response to receiving this signal, the electronic component generates a second signal, which is sent to the subject and their chosen medical professionals.

Developers state that the injectable sensor supported by DARPA is not sensitive enough to distinguish COVID-19 from other viruses that cause similar symptoms.

After deployment, it will need to be used in conjunction with other testing and detection methods. However, the advantages of early warning systems in combating the spread of this virus should not be underestimated.

Fortunately, DARPA also supports many other projects that create detection methods compatible with injectable sensors to provide conclusive diagnoses.

DARPA Innovative COVID-19 Strategies

In addition to this injectable sensor, DARPA is working on a range of other COVID-19 detection strategies.

These include diagnostic platforms such as those using gene-editing technology (DIGET) for detection and Epigenetic Characterization and Observation (ECHO) procedures. DIGET focuses on the rapid discovery of pathogens, including COVID-19, while ECHO is another technology focused on detecting the human body's response to pathogens rather than the pathogens themselves.

DARPA has also collaborated with the University of Illinois to develop a pathogen detection system called the Friend or Foe program. Although this predates the COVID-19 pandemic, significant efforts have been made to enable the platform to provide rapid and effective SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics.

The system—which detects attacks on cell membranes, the first step in COVID-19 infection—has been proven to deliver diagnoses from nasal swab samples within 30 minutes. It can be deployed from test kits, meaning the method can be scaled to perform hundreds of thousands of tests.

DARPA's approach to COVID-19 is not limited to detection and diagnosis; it also includes work on vaccines, antibody therapies, rapid drug deployment, and aerosol monitoring, all supported by the U.S. military.

Since the late 1950s, in response to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik (Sputnik), the mission of DARPA has been to pioneer technological innovation. In recent years, they have been involved in developing notable technologies such as robotic cheetahs.

Some success stories from DARPA include the development of the personal assistant program SIRI, the Roomba vacuum cleaner, and the Moderna mRNA vaccine, which has also had a significant impact in the fight against COVID-19.

DARPA hopes to equip military personnel with an injectable COVID-19 cross-section system, but if effective, it could be used in many other industries.

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