A.    The Zika virus spreads in people primarily by the bite of an infected mosquito. While it causes mild symptoms in people, pregnant women can transmit this virus to the unborn fetus resulting in severe brain defects. You work for a biotech firm that specializes in making rapid diagnostic (RAPD) kits for infectious diseases. RAPD kits are based on specific antigen/antibody binding. You have just received funding to design a RAPD for Zika virus detection – you are trying to detect antibodies to the Zika virus. Design a RAPD for Zika virus antigen based on the following resources and information available to you. You are provided with the purified Zika virus antigen (ZVA), known purified Zika virus antibody, nitrocellulose membrane, secondary antibody linked to a colored dye. Nitrocellulose membranes are able to bind proteins, like antibodies and antigens. You will test your RAPD against clinical samples (contains antibodies) from patients recently exposed to Zika virus. Don’t forget to add a positive control to your design.