Nat Protocol: New technology facilitates fast-moving detection of COVID-19.

Oct 8, 2020 /--- In a recent study, scientists developed a technology that can help rapidly extract and analyze genetic material for COVID-19 testing in mobile conditions, including at airports and remote test centers.
(Photo: www.pixabay.com) The "Dipstick" technology developed by University of Queensland professors Jimmy Botella and Dr Michael Mason can extract genetic material in as little as 30 seconds and complete molecular diagnosis in 40 minutes.
Botella said: "At the moment, this process is done by using large, expensive commercial devices that require multi-step procedures and specialized laboratory equipment.
, our technology is so cheap that it can be used almost anywhere without the need for specialized equipment or laboratories.
"Our technology can purify DNA and RNA nucleic acids from patient samples, which is a key step in the diagnosis of COVID-19.
" is combined with our portable diagnostic instrument, which fits your hand and provides power through the car's cigarette-tapping interface, allowing us to identify and isolate positive patients faster, helping to reduce the spread of the disease.
we hope it will be used to extend COVID-19 diagnostic testing to non-laboratory environments such as airports, remote testing centres and GP clinics.
" process can be used to extract genetic material from most living organisms, including people, livestock, bacteria and viruses.
Michael Mason, a professor at the University of Colorado, said the team has applied the technique in other areas, mainly to fight plant pathogens.
Mason said:
We have successfully used this technology to identify diseases associated with fresh produce and important crops that are vital to feed some of the world's poorest people.
even isolated plantations in remote areas, such as Papua New Guinea, we have successfully used this technique to identify pathogens that kill coconut trees.
(bioon.com) Source: New tech offer 'faster, cheaper and mobile' COVID-19 diagnosis Original source: Michael G. Mason et al, Rapid (30-second), equipment-free purification of nucleic acids using easy-to-make dipsticks, Nature Protocols (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41596-020-0392-7.