MATCHBOX portable point-of-care multiplex molecular diagnostic platform

Overview

MATCHBOX is a portable, point-of-care in vitro diagnostic platform designed to detect up to 25 molecular targets simultaneously from a wide range of sample types, including blood, cheek, nasal, and vaginal swabs, urine, and complex environmental samples. The platform is engineered to deliver sample-to-answer results in 45–60 minutes, enabling rapid decentralized diagnostics without the need for highly trained laboratory personnel. By developing custom multiplexed panels tailored to specific customer targets, MATCHBOX can be adapted to address diverse diagnostic and biosurveillance needs with a single integrated device.

Technical specifications

• Multiplexed detection: Simultaneously identifies up to 25 RNA or DNA targets in a single assay run
• Broad sample compatibility: Validated on blood, swab (cheek, nasal, vaginal), urine, and complex environmental samples
• RT-PCR-based chemistry: Amplifies target DNA, ribosomal RNA, and messenger RNA for sensitive pathogen detection
• Detection sensitivity: Limits of detection demonstrated at 10–20 cfu/ml for bacteria and 2,000–20,000 viral copies per ml (0.1–1 fg/ml) on spiked and real patient samples
• Rapid turnaround: Sample-to-answer results delivered in 45–60 minutes
• Lyophilized bead cartridges: Primers and probes incorporated into stable, shelf-ready bead formats for cartridge use
• Custom panel development: New targets can be added through bioinformatics-driven primer and probe design followed by benchtop screening and multiplex compatibility optimization
• Existing panels: Febrile (blood), respiratory (nasal), and STI (urine) panels already developed

Technology readiness level

MATCHBOX is currently at a mid-to-late prototype stage. Internal testing on the prototype system has demonstrated strong sensitivity and specificity across multiple sample types and assay panels. Prototype units are scheduled for field deployment at Naval Medical Research Unit sites in Peru and Cambodia for further validation. Ongoing optimization of the detection algorithm is expected to further reduce limits of detection. Future development for new targets requires approximately six months from target definition through panel design, benchtop screening, lyophilized bead incorporation, microarray development, and final full-system validation testing.