[ad_1]
First entry: Friday, October 30, 2020, 11:26 am
Particularly common and practical are ticket cancellation systems, at the gates of an airport, in the subway, inside a theater and any other public building. Integrated into such a common and easy-to-use machine, let’s now imagine a technological device, a “detector,” which, at the time of approval of our entry into space, also tests us for the coronavirus. Quick, immediate, and mostly without the procedures we’ve learned in recent months.
Mr Achilleas Kapanidis, Professor of Biophysics in the Department of Physics at the University of Oxford, who is involved in a research team for such a test, spoke with APE-MPE about research work that points to even such a revolutionary technological test . Mr Kapanidis confirms that, at the application level, such technology in walkways / walkways “can be developed accordingly and help a lot.” He explained that it could be possible in the future, so that “sampling, imaging and analysis of images (ss of virus particles) can be performed outside the laboratory and perhaps without the involvement of specialized personnel.”
One of the challenges, perceived by the general public and faced by the global community in relation to Covid-19, was from the beginning the possibility of diagnosis in relation to the general population. As Mr. Kapanidis explains, “Our technology, which detects the presence of the virus in clinical pharyngeal specimens, is very different from the molecular method (RT-PCR) and its variants. Instead of detecting the genetic material of the coronavirus (which requires significant sample processing), we detect virus particles directly, “staining” virus particles quickly (in just a few seconds) with small pieces of fluorescent DNA. We then place the particles on a surface and photograph them under a microscope sensitive, using an artificial intelligence program to verify that the images of the particles belong to the new coronavirus, and not to other viruses that can cause similar symptoms, such as the influenza virus. “
He points out that the entire process takes less than five minutes, uses far fewer reagents, is much simpler and cheaper than the standard molecular method.
Objective and creation of automated SARS-CoV 2 detection methods that can be used in high traffic areas
This technology raises great expectations for valid and timely detection of the virus. The Greek scientist explains that he will first need to design a simpler microscope (or detector) for fluorescence light microscopy (which can be produced on a large scale) and consumables for repeat sampling and microscopy. Clinical studies on the sensitivity and specificity of the test, which are currently in progress, must also be completed. At the same time, as you mentioned, a company is currently being created, with the help of the university, to promote these developments as soon as possible. “In the medium term, we believe that these developments will lead to trials, which will be very inexpensive and available to the wider community,” Kapanidis said.
The Professor of Biophysics in the Department of Physics at the University of Oxford notes that this technology is based on the logic that “sampling, imaging and image analysis can be done outside the laboratory in the future, and perhaps without the participation of specialized personnel “. “We have also initiated contacts with a large airport for this very reason. Other places include large companies and theaters,” he said, referring to designing for the future.
The important thing is that this technology “can be used (even now, as mentioned in the work, which we published on the Medarxiv * preprint server a few days ago) to identify other viruses that can cause similar symptoms, and have lipid envelope, such as the influenza virus. In fact, our contribution in this field began with the investigation and detection of various types of influenza viruses, which of course are dangerous to create a pandemic “, concludes the professor at the University of Oxford.
Greek scientists are working together to quickly emerge from the pandemic
Kapanidis notes that “Greek scientists, like all scientists around the world, work hard, hopefully innovate in difficult conditions, and work together in new ways so that the human community has many options at many levels (vaccine, treatment, diagnosis, information). etc.), so that we can get out of this alley as soon as possible, “while saluting Greece’s national effort.
“As Greeks abroad, we are happy and proud that Greek society, with the help of its scientists, has effectively dealt with the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and we hope that it will stop the second wave despite difficulties.” , said. However, he warns that “as has been demonstrated in recent years, our modern way of life unfortunately leads us to the certainty that dangerous microorganisms (such as many new viruses and bacteria resistant to existing antibiotics) will be with us immediately and for many years “, so” We will definitely need a new generation of scientists, not only in the field of microbiology but also in all sciences who can help to understand the mechanisms of microorganisms and the ways of their control and analysis. ” In fact, he cites as an example of the contribution of the natural sciences, the contribution to the work of his team by Nikolas Siaelis, an excellent PhD researcher from Cyprus, who is primarily responsible for the research and innovation that is the basis of this new test.
Source: ΑΠΕ
