NTU Scientists Develop First Rapid Test in S’pore That Can Detect COVID-19 Mutations & Produce Results in 30 Min

By
Shawn Ambrose
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Much like scammers, the coronavirus is constantly evolving to avoid detection.

When the virus first emerged, all we had to do was design a diagnostic test to detect the virus.

But now, thanks to new coronavirus strains popping up all over the globe, these tests may not be as useful.

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Fortunately, a group of scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) may have found a solution to this novel problem.

NTU Scientists Develop First Rapid Test in S’pore That Can Detect COVID-19 Mutations & Produce Results in 30 Min

NTU scientists have developed a rapid diagnostic test that can determine the presence of the coronavirus even after it has mutated.

The first rapid test of its kind in Singapore, the NTU test takes slightly longer than antigen rapid tests to yield a result—up to 30 minutes—but is 10 times more accurate.

While it’s also cheaper than the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, PCR tests remain the gold standard because of its high sensitivity.

The goal, instead, might be to replace other rapid tests. 

So, How Does It Work?

As for how the new test works, it’s pretty simple.

And by that, I mean it’s so complex that I’m pretty sure some of the scientists who made it don’t even understand what they did.

According to NTU’s media release, the VaNGuard test—short for variant nucleotide guard test—utilises a gene-editing tool known as CRISPR, which is used widely in scientific research to alter DNA sequences and modify gene function in human cells.

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More recently, it’s been used in diagnostic applications.

The test acts like a pair of “molecular scissors”, programmed to “snip off” specific segments of the virus’ genetic material from its vital genome. This is how it detects the virus.

At the moment, the VaNGuard test can recognise up to two mutations within the target sites on the coronavirus genome.

If your head is spinning right now like mine is, you can check out this video to learn more about the detection process:

The test itself looks like a pregnancy test, as the team managed to imbed it into a paper strip.

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It is then dipped into a tube containing the virus load. If the coronavirus or a variant is present, two bands will appear on the paper strip. In the absence of the virus, only one band will appear.

Cool, right?

The team of scientists also developed a phone application to help with the analysis of the findings on the paper strip.

Unless the virus mutates into something unrecognisable, this test could prove to be a massive breakthrough in our fight against COVID-19.

It’s 2021, and the future is certainly here.

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Feature Image: YouTube (NTUsg)

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Shawn Ambrose
Email: [email protected]