Nanorev rapid portable electrochemical biosensor diagnostic platform
The NanoRev system is a portable, aptamer-based electrochemical biosensor platform that delivers laboratory-grade diagnostic results in 5–10 minutes at the point of need. Designed for GMO detection, animal health, and environmental monitoring, it provides ELISA-level sensitivity in a rugged, low-cost form factor suitable for field and clinical use.
Overview
The NanoRev system is a portable electrochemical biosensor platform developed by Foothold Labs that uses immobilized biotinylated RNA or DNA aptamers to detect specific targets in complex matrices such as plant extract, blood serum, or agricultural runoff water. Designed for rapid point-of-need diagnostics, NanoRev delivers quantitative results with ELISA-comparable limits of detection and sensitivity in a cost-effective, rugged form factor. Each test takes only 5–10 minutes from sample collection to data reporting, eliminating the need for centralized laboratory equipment or complex sample preparation. The platform has been developed with funding from the US Air Force and US Army and is currently positioned at Technology Readiness Level 5.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Aptamer-based electrochemical biosensor using immobilized biotinylated RNA or DNA for highly specific target recognition
- Potentiostat electronics miniaturized from an initial Naval Research Lab design, with an upgraded housing that shields against electromagnetic interference such as cellular signals
- Modular electrode cartridges that can be rapidly 3D printed to accommodate multiple functionalized electrode formats
- Integrated sample well that maintains constant volume and contact radius above the electrode for reproducible results
- Applicable to RNA, DNA, protein, and metabolite targets across diverse matrices including agriculture runoff water, blood serum, and plant extract
- Validated through PCR and ELISA-based testing with blinded groups and competition assays
Technology readiness level
NanoRev is currently at TRL 5, with the potentiostat design and electronics in a near-final form factor. The electrode cartridges have been designed and can be rapidly 3D printed to accept multiple electrode types. Over $3 million in military funding and several funded pilot projects with animal health companies have supported development to date. The platform has been validated across more than 12 experiments targeting diverse analytes in complex matrices. The next phase focuses on advancing from proof of concept to real-world studies, with the goal of demonstrating diagnostic effectiveness across varied clinical settings and user profiles.
About Foothold Labs
Foothold Labs is a Kansas-based company founded in 2017 that specializes in the development of electrochemical sensor-based diagnostic platforms. Its core technology, the NanoRev system, utilizes machine learning and electrochemical sensors to provide rapid, analytical, and diagnostic results at the point of need. The platform is designed to address critical challenges by offering a rugged, low-cost, and portable solution that eliminates the reliance on centralized laboratory equipment and complex sample preparation for various testing applications.
The company focuses on sectors requiring point-of-care healthcare diagnostics and environmental monitoring, including applications for toxic chemical threats and industrial quality assurance. By leveraging military-derived technology and partnering with academic research institutions for development, Foothold Labs provides solutions for real-world analytical needs in defense, homeland security, and healthcare. Its work has been supported by multiple federal research and development contracts, including those from the Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force, aimed at developing technologies for sensitive and selective rapid analysis.
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