Iceni Diagnostics has developed a rapid Covid-19 test that it claims can determine whether or not a patient is actually infectious.
The lateral flow assay is designed to react to live, intact virus, unlike the most other tests, which will react to any form of viral genetic material or protein. The test works by detecting the viral cells’ interaction with sugars that surround human cells.
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Manchester Institute of Biotechnology professor Dr Rob Field said: “We believe this technology could change the way we tackle Covid. Where we can quickly tell who is infectious, we can make much better decisions about whether we go to work, school or university and more efficiently manage quarantine periods following international travel.”
Iceni is set to trial its technology in care homes through Cambridge Clinical Laboratories over the coming weeks.
