Portable Covid-19 test could be rolled out in weeks

Published by  News Archive

On 23rd Mar 2020

portable covid-19 test equipment with mobile phone

Researchers at the University of East Anglia are pioneering a portable coronavirus kit which could be rolled out to test NHS staff in weeks.

The test would provide a result, displayed on a smartphone, in just 50 minutes after taking a throat swab.

Most current tests take 24-48 hours to provide results because they need to be sent to labs.

The new molecular test could be used to process 16 samples at a time – or up to 384 samples if using a lab-based detection machine.

The test kit aims to help self-isolating medical staff return to work as quickly as possible. And it will also ensure that those at work are not spreading the virus.

Lead researcher Dr Justin O'Grady, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, began work on the kit earlier this month. He said: “The idea behind this is that we need to test NHS staff more quickly, so they can stay at work if they are well, or go home if they’re a risk to potentially very vulnerable patients.

"We want to move very quickly on this, and hope that it could be rolled out nationally to hospitals in around two weeks.”

The kit works by sequencing the genetic material (RNA) from a throat swab sample using a rapid three minute RNA extraction (Arcis Biotechnology) – in order to detect the presence of Covid-19.

“The test is simple to use so it could be carried out by a semi-skilled healthcare professional,” said Dr O’Grady.

“We hope it could provide additional capacity within the NHS because only those who are definitely ill with covid-19 would need to self-isolate. And it will help doctors get back to work as quickly as possible once they test negative.”

Study Medicine at UEA

More world-leading research

Latest News

 
A woman in football kit
25 Sep 2023

From Psychology to the Canaries: UEA student on target for Norwich City Women’s Football Club

A University of East Anglia Psychology student has marked her fledgling Norwich City Women’s Football Club career with a quick-fire hat-trick in one of her first...

Read more >
 
A nurse interacting with a patient.
21 Sep 2023

Nurses worldwide rely on intuition to triage patients

Nurses around the world use intuition to work out how sick a patient is before triaging for treatment – according to new research from the University of East...

Read more >
 
Francessca Turrell
18 Sep 2023

UEA nursing apprentice’s sky-high dive for Alzheimer's and Dementia awareness

On Sunday 24 September, University of East Anglia (UEA) nursing apprentice Francessca Turrell will be taking part in a charity skydive for Alzheimer’s Society, a...

Read more >
 
Logo Rewind's yellow book cover with black symbols
14 Sep 2023

New book to focus on Norwich’s medieval logos

‘Logo Rewind: Trademarks of Medieval Norwich’ is a new book from UEA Publishing Project, in collaboration with CreativeUEA and featuring the work of Darren...

Read more >
Are you searching for something?
 
Logo Rewind's yellow book cover with black symbols
14 Sep 2023

New book to focus on Norwich’s medieval logos

‘Logo Rewind: Trademarks of Medieval Norwich’ is a new book from UEA Publishing Project, in collaboration with CreativeUEA and featuring the work of Darren...

Read more >
 
Ziggurats
13 Sep 2023

UEA students discover new room location following RAAC accommodation closures

Over 700 University of East Anglia (UEA) students have discovered where their new university homes will be located, following the closure of some accommodation...

Read more >
 
(L-R) Chris Law MP, Dr Martin Scott, Renu Mehta
13 Sep 2023

New report from UEA Academic asks whether UK Aid Match has been used for ‘charity washing’, ahead of Westminster event

A new report from the University of East Anglia’s Dr Martin Scott into the Government’s UK Aid Match (UKAM) scheme has led to concerns of ‘charity washing’, with...

Read more >
 
Claudio Barchiesi with his bike and a United Kingdom flag
12 Sep 2023

Pedalling with purpose: UEA student’s fundraising cycle from Italy to England

A student at the University of East Anglia (UEA) has completed a charity cycling trip from his hometown in Italy to his grandparent’s house in Suffolk, to raise...

Read more >
 
Student accommodation buildings
11 Sep 2023

University of East Anglia accommodation closes following Government RAAC guidance

Read more >
 
A gloved hand holding a petri dish
11 Sep 2023

The University of East Anglia is set to re-join Horizon Europe

Read more >
 
Two women and a man stood together smiling at the camera
07 Sep 2023

UEA celebrates nurse’s six decades of local service with Honorary Fellowship award

With more than 60 years of nursing experience, Lesley Williams’ inspirational work across the region has been recognised with an Honorary Fellowship from the...

Read more >