AI Powered test identifies known Respiratory Viruses

Oxford University scientists Nicolas Shiaelis and Dr Nicole Robb, co-founders of health tech company Pictura Bio, have developed a world-first diagnostic test powered by artificial intelligence, capable of identifying known respiratory viruses such as influenza and COVID-19 within five minutes from one nasal or throat swab, improving not only virus identity but also differentiation between strains.

Shiaelis and Robb collaborated with the John Radcliffe Hospital to evaluate a new method that uses AI software to identify viruses. The ground-breaking testing technology combines molecular labelling, computer vision and machine learning to create a universal diagnostic imaging platform that looks directly at a patient sample and can identify which pathogen is present in a matter of seconds.

The next step was to determine if the test could be used to diagnose multiple respiratory infections as well as COVID-19.

In the study, researchers labelled viruses in over 200 clinical samples from John Radcliffe Hospital. Images of labelled samples were captured and processed by custom machine-learning software, trained to recognise specific viruses by analysing their fluorescence labels which show up differently for every virus because their surface size, shape and chemistry vary. The results show the technology is able to rapidly identify different types and strains of respiratory viruses, including flu and COVID-19, within five minutes and with >97% accuracy.

Pictura Bio was formed to further develop this technology and the scientists are now looking for further investment to accelerate development, moving this technology to the front line of healthcare.

Dr Robb, aid: “Cases of respiratory infections in winter 2022/23 have hit record-breaking highs, increasing the number of people seeking medical help. This combined with the COVID-19 backlog, staff shortages, tighter budgets and an ageing population puts the NHS and its workforce under immense and unsustainable pressure.

“Pictura Bio’s simplified method of diagnostic testing is quicker and more cost-effective, accurate and future proof than any other tests currently available. If we want to detect a new virus, all we need to do is retrain the software to recognise it, rather than develop a whole new test. Our findings demonstrate the potential for this method to revolutionise viral diagnostics and our ability to control the spread of respiratory illnesses.”

Lead-author of the publication, co-founder and DPhil post-grad researcher at the University of Oxford, Nicolas Shiaelis, added: “It is inevitable that other COVID-like viruses will emerge. This reinforces the need for more advanced diagnostic testing technology so that we can reduce the impact of new viruses on public health and the NHS.”

The technology is now licensed by Pictura Bio which aims to turn the method into a diagnostic test by creating a dedicated imager and single-use cartridge for use in point-of-care testing, with limited input from the user. The team will also expand the number of viruses that the models are trained on and will eventually start looking at other pathogens, such as bacteria and fungi, in respiratory samples, blood and urine.

Published in ACS Nano.

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