DEVELOPMENT OF A RAPID POINT-OF-CARE CORONA TESt
Pepijn Beekman, MSc
Recorded during: The 2020 TechMed Event | more info
Date recording: 10 September 2020
Abstract
Current approaches to testing for (active) infection with the corona virus involve sending a sample to one of the few laboratories in the Netherlands that have the appropriate biocontainment facilities. This “rate-limiting step” drastically reduces the national capacity for testing. Intelligently managing the spread of COVID-19 requires an efficient and decentralised testing routine which can immediately and reliably determine whether a person is infectious or not.
Using an automated microfluidic sample handling routine and a unique, state-of-the art nanotechnology-based sensing mechanism, our goal is to develop a system that is sensitive enough to detect low concentrations of virus particles in patient samples even shortly after infection. Test results should be available within a few minutes, and it would be used at any location including airports, hospitals and large events.