Scientists from the University of Oxford’s Engineering Science
Department and the Oxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research (OSCAR)
have developed a rapid testing technology for the novel corona virus
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). The team, led by Prof. Zhanfeng Cui and Prof. Wei
Huang, have been working to improve test capabilities as the virus
spreads internationally.
The new test is much faster and does not need a complicated
instrument. Previous viral RNA tests took 1.5 to 2 hours to give a
result. The research team has developed a new test, based on a technique
which is capable of giving results in just half an hour—over three
times faster than the current method.
Prof Wei Huang says: “The beauty of this new test
lies in the design of the viral detection that can specifically
recognise SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RNA and RNA fragments. The test has
built-in checks to prevent false positives or negatives and the results
have been highly accurate.”
Additionally, the technology is very sensitive. This means that
patients in early stages of infection may be identified sooner,
potentially helping to reduce the spread of the coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). The technology only requires a simple heat-block
which maintains a constant temperature for RNA reverse transcription
and DNA amplification, and the results can be read by the naked eye.
This makes it potentially useful in rural area or community healthcare
centres.
The technology has been validated with real clinical samples at
Shenzhen Luohou People’s Hospital in China. Shenzhen Luohu People’s
Hospital has applied the rapid detection kits on 16 clinic samples,
including eight positives and eight negatives, which have been confirmed
by conventional RT-PCR methods and other clinical evidence. The test
results using the rapid detection kits were all successful.
Prof. Zhanfeng Cui, the Director of OSCAR, says: “I am proud of our
team that have developed a useful technology and can make a contribution
in combating CoV-19, and we are very grateful to the hospital’s medical
team led by Dr. Xizhou Sun, Dr. Xiuming Zhang and Dr. Dan Xiong for
their part in testing this new technology.”
The Oxford scientists are now working to develop an integrated device so that the test can be used at clinics, airports, or even for home use.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-03-oxford-scientists-rapid-technology-covid-.html
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