A team of scientists based in Singapore has developed a quick test kit which detects Covid-19 immunity in 10 minutes.
The kit will help to tell if a person requires a Covid-19 vaccine booster quickly and simply, with just a blood sample.
The kit was developed by Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) – MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore – and Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
The test kit works by detecting SARS-COV-2 antibodies in blood samples and applies for variants such as Delta and Omicron as well.
It aims to help determine if a person requires a vaccine booster based on the level of antibody they possess.
“A clinical study by the joint research team has shown that the protection offered by currently available vaccines steadily declines over three months, with varying degrees of decline across individuals,” the press release noted.
To address vaccine hesitancy and vaccination effects against new variants, the team argues that a personalised approach could be more effective.
The quick test results will help determine if someone requires a booster within just 10 minutes, saving plenty of time and hopefully encouraging more to get vaccinated if they require one.
“This is an exciting breakthrough for us, and a continuation of our long-running work to develop efficient, low-cost, and easy-to-use NAb tests to combat the Covid-19 pandemic,” co-first author of the paper and former Postdoctoral Associate at SMART AMR Hoi Lok Cheng said.
The test kit will be further developed for approval so it can be used in public settings. A startup, Thrixen, is developing the test into a commercially ready product.
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from Nanyang Technological University via Eurekalert.
He said the fee and lack of salary were only a filter so he could…
The mother was saddened that the act of sending her money would be her son's…
One elevator is now functional while repairs on the second are expected to complete by…
The driver who hit one of the cats purportedly denied doing so and behaved angrily.
It has been marketed online as a candy that helps with male sexual enhancement.
"POP MART does not have any official licensed partners in Singapore," it said.