Scientists have developed a test that uses a low-tech kit and a phone, which could be used as a cheaper alternative to the more traditional method of testing.
The saliva test provides a highly reliable platform for testing in the workplace or at home, according to the team behind it. It requires a basic lab kit that includes a cardboard box, a small hot plate and a light that can be produced for less than 75 dollars. The cost of running a test, including the reagents, is about 10th of a PCR test and is cheaper than a lateral flow test. The team's findings are published in a journal.
As new Covid variants emerge globally, testing and detection remain essential to pandemic control efforts.
Dogs detect Covid in under a second.
The test uses a process called loop-mediated isothermal amplification (Lamp) to amplify viral RNA in the saliva and detect specific target genes. The app uses a phone's camera to measure colour changes and determine a diagnosis in 25 minutes. It was tested in 50 patients with Covid. The same technique was used to diagnose the flu.
The report shows that it is possible to move testing out of the laboratory. The challenge remains how to deliver large-scale products based on this type of technology, and to make simple, accessible products that people can make use of.
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