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Researchers Develop New Faster, Cheaper Covid Test That Uses Pencil Lead

The team at University of Pennsylvania in the US noted that current Covid-19 tests are limited by the tradeoff between accuracy and the time it takes to analyse a sample

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Highlights
  • In the test, electrodes bind to samples and a chemical signal is displayed
  • LEAD is easier to assemble, it can be used by anyone: Researcher
  • Previously the research team worked on a COVID-19 testing kit called RAPID

Washington: Researchers have developed a new cheaper, faster and more accurate COVID-19 diagnostic test that uses electrodes made from graphite — the material found in pencil lead – to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The team at University of Pennsylvania in the US noted that current COVID-19 tests are limited by the tradeoff between accuracy and the time it takes to analyse a sample. Another challenge of current COVID-19 tests is cost as most tests are expensive to produce and require trained personnel to administer and analyse them, they said.

Also Read: Freedom From COVID-19: “India Has Handled Viruses Like Small Pox, Nipah Well, Same Will Be The Case For COVID-19,” Says Dr Shashank Joshi, Member of Maharashtra’s COVID Task Force

According to the research published in the journal PNAS, the graphite electrodes in the new test reduce the cost to USD 1.50 per test and require only 6.5 minutes to deliver the results. The Low-cost Electrochemical Advanced Diagnostic (LEAD) test gives 100-per cent-accurate results from saliva samples and up to 88 per cent accuracy in nasal samples, the researchers said.

The test uses easily assembled materials such as human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, modified graphite leads, and a plastic vial. In the test, the electrodes bind to the samples and a chemical signal is displayed. The height of the peak of the signal indicates whether the sample is negative or positive.

Previously the research team worked on a COVID-19 testing kit called RAPID which uses screen-printed electrodes. The new research uses the same concept as RAPID but with less expensive materials.

LEAD is easier to assemble, it can be used by anyone and the materials are cheaper and more accessible than those of RAPID. This is important because we are using an abundant material, graphite, the same graphite used in pencils, to build the electrode to make testing more accessible to lower-income communities, said Cesar de la Fuente, an assistant professor at University of Pennsylvania.

The researchers noted that LEAD’s functionalisation and sample diagnosis take less than a few hours and can be made for a fraction of some of the most inexpensive tests on the market. “Currently, we are working to improve the technology and stability of our tests,” he said.

We will always be looking for ways to make the most effective version of LEAD, but we are also working to find industry partners and conduct more clinical studies to push the use of LEAD for COVID testing as soon as possible, he said.

While COVID-19 is the top priority, the test can also detect other transmissible diseases, keeping this research relevant in the future, the researchers added.

Also Read: WHO Guidelines On How To Stay Healthy At Home During COVID-19 Times

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (WaterSanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollutionwaste managementplastic banmanual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene

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