In the past 8 months, researchers from the University of
Pardubice, in cooperation with the Czech company IQ Structures (IQS Group),
have developed a miniature (10x20mm) chip, that can give precision to the test
results of a new type of coronavirus.
Grooves on the chip’s surface are designed to elicit the
reaction with the right dynamics, in order to concentrate the viral RNA. The
virus particles are then subject of the sample analysis. The chip has an
application area into which a sample is dripped and the chip will evaluate the
result. With this approach, a very small amount of viral RNA can be detected in
the sample taken, thus individuals can be detected even in the asymptomatic
phase of COVID-19.
The chip itself can offer a much wider use, wherever the
detection of RNA or DNA particles, from a very small amount of biological material, is needed (e.g. forensic analysis).
The development of the chip has been supported by
the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic within the „Czech Rise
Up“ program. As soon as the patent protection process is finalized, IQ
structures will start its production.
Source: Seznamzpravy.cz
Prepared by the team of CzechTrade/CzechInvest Israel