A rapid simple point-of-care assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies

In response to infections, the human body produces proteins called antibodies. Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) are one type of such proteins that are capable of inactivating the target, such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Monitoring levels of NAb allows us to understand levels of protective immunity. However, current methods to measure NAb are laboratory-based and are not necessarily suitable for large scale NAb monitoring in a large population. We develop a rapid test to detect SARS-CoV-2 NAb in 10 min that can be operated outside a laboratory. Our test provides results that are comparable to lab-based tests, which require between 1 h and up to 2 days to get a result. Our test may be useful for large-scale monitoring of immunity, for example in populations that do not have routine access to a lab.