Corona test results in 16 minutes
It is repeatedly emphasized that a lot more people should be tested for the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, to get the pandemic in the handle. However, such Tests take a relatively long time. Researchers from Germany have now developed a new method runs about ten times faster for the Corona test results.
A Test to SARS-CoV-2, and evaluate more than two hours to perform, according to a message currently and a laboratory per day, can only test a very limited number of people. Researchers from the University of Bielefeld have developed a number of cooperation partners in a study of a method that provides around ten times faster a result. “The Test only takes around 16 minutes,” says Professor Dr. Christian Kaltschmidt from the Department of cell biology at the University of Bielefeld. “The method is also cheaper than the conventional Tests.”
Tests to help in the containment of the Virus
In the meantime, are worldwide confirmed more than ten million infections with the novel Coronavirus. An effective vaccine or therapy against SARS-CoV-2 it does not exist yet. Add to this that not every infected Person develops symptoms. The most effective method to reduce the spread, at the Moment, therefore, Tests: Who has been infected will be isolated and not spread the pathogen.
The most common method to test, if someone with SARS-CoV has infected 2, are the so-called PCR testing, the use of the genetic Material of the Virus as a basis. The have also made the Bielefeld researchers in their study.
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The reported PCR Tests run in a similar way. First, genes requires genetic Material from a test person. The nose, generally through a swab of the mouth, or throat won.
“If a person has been infected with SARS-CoV-2, then genes contained in the sample genetic Material of the Virus, which is present as a so-called RNA”, explains cold Schmidt. The RNA molecules are isolated in a chemical process. Thereafter, however, contain little RNA, as a Test could you prove immediately. Therefore, they must be reproduced.
Saving time and effort
This happens in the case of a so-called Polymerase chain reaction, has given the PCR-method its name (Polymerase Chain Reaction). As the communication explains, runs in a device called a thermal cycler. This is driving the temperature to a predetermined range of high and back down again.
In combination with certain additives, an enzyme with a copy function, and stability at a high temperature, replicates the genetic Material, until so much is that according to the experts, SARS-CoV-2 are unable to prove if someone is infected.
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The Bielefeld Department of cell biologists and cell biologists have used during your procedure, a special thermal cycler – the NEXTGENPCR. The researchers, according to the reactions in the device due to the special Design, which includes a plurality of temperature zones from running, effectively and fully automatically.
“The approach we focused on the so-called Drosten Protocol of the Berlin Charité and the Protocol of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta,” said Kaltschmidt. The Standards for Tests for the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The scientists were able to me your method is to repeat the results of conventional PCR Tests – only in a considerably shorter time and with less effort. The results were published in the medical Preprint-Server “medRxiv”.
570 Tests per hour
The thermal cycler was developed by the Dutch company’s Molecular Biology Systems B. V.. For the Tests SARS-CoV-2, the developers wrote a Software, which reduces both the time required as well as the work steps. “We have received very positive feedback,” said Gert de Vos, founder and managing Director of the company.
According to the figures, the instrument can analyze multiple samples in parallel – that is around 570 evaluations are provided with a single thermal cycler per hour are possible. Cold Schmidt sees many advantages in the new method. So such a Test could come about, especially where quick results are required. “If, for example, cruise ships resume operation, you could test in a short period of time each Person before they Board.”
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In the study, the heart and diabetes center NRW in Bad Oeynhausen, the group of molecular neurobiology, University of Bielefeld, the Evangelic hospital Bethel, as well as the research group biomedical Bielefeld OWL e. V. (ad)were involved