CORONAVIRUS NEWS
SARS-CoV-2 droplet digital polymerase chain reaction test
Bio-Rad provides a wide range of products for use in the support of COVID-19 diagnosis and confirmation, and offers a suite of molecular testing tools including Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) systems and the SARS-CoV-2 ddPCR test kit.- Coronavirus
Update on Affimer reagent therapy for SARS-CoV-2 infection
Infectivity assays carried out by the Avacta Group in collaboration with the Centre for Virus Research at the University of Glasgow show that the company’s Affimer reagents prevent infection of human cells by a SARS-CoV-2 model virus.- Coronavirus
Adapt and succeed in challenging laboratory times
The Royal Society reports that every £1 invested in medical research delivers a return equivalent of around 25 pence every year, forever. Here, Katie Gray explains how UK laboratories are remaining productive during the lockdown.- Coronavirus
Danish robots assist in European testing for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus
A Danish pipetting robot is automating coronavirus testing processes in European hospitals. The robot, called flowbot ONE, significantly reduces the time it takes for laboratories to produce results for patients potentially infected with SARS-CoV-2.- Coronavirus
Safer ELISA antibody testing with convenient buffer removal
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to the development of novel RT-PCR-based tests to detect the virus. As the situation has progressed, serology tests are now needed to evaluate the immune response of patients, and assess immunity in the general public.- Coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG detection from whole blood, serum and plasma
The ScheBo SARS-CoV-2 Quick is a combined immunochromatographic lateral-flow test for the simultaneous qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies in whole blood, serum or plasma, with test results after 15 minutes.- Coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2 kit for research into measuring the T-cell immune response
Oxford Immunotec has released the T-SPOT Discovery SARS-CoV-2 test kit. This could make a significant contribution to development of a tool to manage the current pandemic, and help nations come out of lockdown faster, safer and in a controlled manner- Coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody test now available in the UK and Europe
Beckman Coulter’s Access SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay is now available in markets accepting the CE mark. The company has shipped tests to more than 400 hospitals, clinics and laboratories in the USA, and has begun shipping to customers globally.- Coronavirus
Cytokine testing for COVID-19 risk and treatment monitoring
An innovative method of monitoring treatment efficacy and recovery from COVID-19 has been unveiled by global diagnostics company Randox Laboratories. The test detects the presence of cytokines, and is performed on the company’s Biochip Technology.- Coronavirus
Significant leap forward for SARS-CoV-2 detection
PCR Biosystems has launched qPCRBIO Probe 1-Step Virus Detect, a high-concentration 4x RT-qPCR kit designed specifically for ultrasensitive, high-throughput detection of viral RNA sequences, including SARS-CoV-2.- Coronavirus
Hand sanitisers: do they work against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus?
It seems bizarre that at the time of writing, we are into the fourth month of a viral pandemic, and yet only one of many available disinfectant and hand sanitiser chemistries had been tested against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Andrew Kemp explains.- Coronavirus
Set up heparin assay protocols quickly and remotely
The NHS has announced that heparin is to be trialled on critically-ill COVID-19 patients, putting more pressure on laboratories to set up new anti-Xa assay protocols. Stago UK is able to help remotely using its Connect.One data sharing middleware.- Coronavirus
Three-dimensional model of SARS-CoV-2 in detail
As scientists around the world race to understand more about SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 disease, they are gaining increasing amounts of information about the viral components that make up the infectious particles.- Coronavirus
Black and Asian groups are at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Black and south Asian ethnic groups in England appear to be at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19, as well as hospitalisation with the disease, according to new UK Biobank research.- Coronavirus
Health and care staff recruited to vaccine trial in Glasgow
The University of Glasgow and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC) are supporting the University of Oxford’s SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus vaccine trials in health and care staff. The collaboration is part of the University of Oxford’s Phase III of the trial, which involves assessing health and care staff living in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, who will be invited to take part in the trial if they are aged 18–55 years, healthy and have not been infected with SARS-CoV-2.- Coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus: rabbit antibody discovery using single B-cell screening
Effective and reliable solutions to detect SARS-CoV-2 are urgently needed, and antibody-based serological assays are a sensitive way to diagnose infection. Dr Pei Liu (Senior Scientist, Antibody Department, GenScript) will lead a free webinar on 2 June 2020 (10.00 am EST [3.00 pm BST] and 1.00 pm EST [6.00 pm BST]). Click on this story to access the link to register.- Coronavirus
Whole pathogen molecular controls for SARS-CoV-2 receive CE marking
CE marking has been granted to whole-pathogen quality controls for SARS-CoV-2, from global diagnostics company Randox Laboratories. The molecular controls are currently being used alongside the firm’s coronavirus tests, performed on its proprietary Biochip, as part of a nationwide UK testing programme.- Coronavirus
Coronavirus sample collection kit manufacturing and supply contracts secured
EKF Diagnostics has secured new contracts for the manufacture and supply of a novel, patented sample collection device which allows SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus samples to be rapidly inactivated in the collection tube, avoiding contamination and preserving RNA without need for refrigeration. To support the increase in testing globally, a safe and easy sample collection and transport mechanism is essential, and this is provided by the PrimeStore MTM sample collection device.- Coronavirus
Expansion of SARS-CoV-2 testing to include a total antibody test
Siemens Healthineers is expanding its infectious disease testing capabilities to aid in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Recognising the critical need for accurate diagnostic testing, the company has developed a laboratory-based total antibody test to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in blood.- Coronavirus
Microchip RT-PCR coronavirus detection system announced
The current pandemic has created a demand for test kits that can be run with less amount of reagents while generating faster test results. Lumex Instruments’ microchip real-time PCR analyser, AriaDNA, by detecting SARS-CoV-2, has proven its ability to meet this demand. The Microchip RT-PCR coronavirus detection system based on AriaDNA can test up to seven patient samples in one run, which takes less than an hour, with low reagent consumption.- Coronavirus
