STOPCovid

Subject: Science and tech

Context:

Researchers have developed a new rapid test for the detection of the novel coronavirus that can be performed in less than an hour, and with minimal equipment, and can detect nearly as many cases as the standard COVID-19 diagnostic.

Concept:

• While other tests based on CRISPR technology provide a method for the the detection of viral pathogens, the scientists said these are more complex than the ones used in point-of-care testing.
• They explained that such tests depend on an RNA extraction process and multiple liquid-handling steps that increase the risk of cross-contamination of samples.
• STOPCovid could be done in a single step and can be potentially performed by nonexperts outside of laboratory settings.
• In the latest version of STOPCovid, researchers incorporated a process to concentrate the viral genetic material in a patient sample by adding magnetic beads that attract RNA. This step eliminates the need for expensive purification kits that are time-intensive and can be in short supply due to high demand. According to the researchers, this concentration step boosts the test’s sensitivity so that it now approaches that of the conventionally used PCR diagnostic method.