Another alternative, the rapid antigen test, is less reliable due to its complexity. After all, the serological test (which uses a blood sample) is faster and cheaper than a PCR test, but it does not tell if someone has developed antibodies until after the person comes into contact with the virus.
“While each of these tests can provide clues about a current or past infection, none of them can determine the extent to which someone can still pass the virus on to others. For this reason, we have started to develop a test that will show in less than five minutes whether someone is carrying the SARS-CoV-2 virus and whether they have a high probability of being contagious. To do this, our solution looks for SARS-CoV-2 virus particles in a person’s exhaled breath, as research shows that breath particles are the main method of transmission of the virus, “says Peter Peumans, CTO of Health Technologies at imec.” With positive Results in our clinical studies, our tool will make testing for SARS-CoV-2 easier, faster, more comfortable and in many ways possible.In addition, we are developing our test so that it can detect the increase in other viruses and germs that spread through exhaled particles such as Influenza, RSV and tuberculosis spread, coped with flexibly. ”
Peter Piot, microbiologist and member of the advisory board of the European Commission on COVID-19, confirms this: “It is now clear that the virus is transmitted pre-symptomatically via exhaled particles. SARS-CoV-2 test via breath sample combined with ultrafast sample Molecular analysis would be groundbreaking as it would enable the timely detection of people who are most likely to transmit the virus. Because a breath sample is much less invasive compared to swabs or saliva, it would also allow for more frequent testing and a quicker return to normal. ”
Imec’s solution consists of a sample collector and an analysis unit, both of which are custom-developed by imec researchers. Researchers mainly focus their attention on the sample collector, which acts as an aerosol (and virus particle) collector and supports the solution’s high-speed, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-q) functionality.
“Bringing these tasks together using traditional technology would be extremely difficult. However, thanks to our ability to innovate in the use of silicon, we have developed a chip that can do both effectively. Its microscale PCR cavities in the silicon area enable thousands of impactors that enable us. The powerful RT-qPCR functionality shortens the duration of the PCR effort from 50 to 5 minutes. It is also important that the standard silicon technology used to build this chip enables mass production at low cost, ”explains Peumans.
“Thanks to a grant from 2 million euros Provided by the Flemish government, we got off to a flying start, “he says Luc Van den Hove, CEO of imec. “Ultimately, the speed at which we can get this test to market will depend heavily on adequate financial support. In anticipation of other investors who will join this effort, imec has decided to pre-invest the necessary resources as part of our contribution to the global fight against COVID-19. ”
“We are delighted to be working with imec on this exciting new development,” says Professor Katrien Lagrou, Head of the molecular diagnostic laboratory at UZ Leuven. “We will not only provide comprehensive clinical support for the validation of the test, but also support the development with the PCR diagnostic know-how that we have built up at UZ Leuven for over 20 years.” will. “Such a rapid test with exhaled breath is also very valuable for an initial SARS-CoV-2 screening of potentially contagious patients or medical staff in hospitals,” confirms prof. Lagrou.
After developing the underlying technology, experts from the University Hospital UZ Leuven will work with imec to conduct a comprehensive clinical study. By the summer of 2021, the researchers plan to test a functional prototype at Brussels Airport to ensure that the final solution meets all the requirements necessary for people to travel and meet again safely and comfortably. “At Brussels Airport we believe that testing is and will be a key element in the recovery of the aviation sector,” says Arnaud Feist, CEO of the Brussels Airport Company. “Creating a safe environment for our passengers is our top priority. In this context, it is imperative that we rely on fast and reliable testing.
About imec
Imec is a leading global research and innovation center for nanoelectronics and digital technologies. The combination of our widely recognized leadership in microchip technology and our extensive software and ICT expertise makes us unique. By leveraging our world-class infrastructure and the local and global ecosystem of partners in a variety of industries, we create breakthrough innovations in application areas such as healthcare, smart cities and mobility, logistics and manufacturing, energy and education.
As a trustworthy partner for companies, start-ups and universities, we bring together more than 4,000 brilliant minds from almost 100 nationalities. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium and has distributed R&D groups in a number of Flemish universities, in the Netherlands, Taiwan, United States of Americaand offices in China, If and Japan. In 2019, imec’s sales (P&L) totaled 640 million euros. You can find more information about imec at www.imec-int.com.
Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of IMEC International (a legal entity established under Belgian law as “stichting van openbaar nut”), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw supported by the Flemish government), imec the Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland, part of Holst Center and OnePlanet, supported by the Dutch government), imec Taiwan (IMEC Taiwan Co.), imec China (IMEC Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.), imec If (Imec India Private Limited) und imec Florida (IMEC United States of America Design Center for Nanoelectronics).
About UZ Leuven
How Belgium UZ Leuven, the largest university hospital, aims to push boundaries by combining specialized care and innovative treatment with human attention and respect for every patient. Every day, almost 10,000 passionate employees ensure the best possible individual support. At UZ Leuven, future service providers and employees are guaranteed high-quality training with a view to lifelong learning and innovation. As a pioneer in clinical research, the hospital also contributes to future patient care.
WHAT Imec
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