The Łukasiewicz Research Network has received funding from the Medical Research Agency to develop rapid and highly sensitive screening tests for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The project will be carried out by the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Electron Technology (ITE).

The principle of their operation will assume detecting the presence of structural virus proteins present in its envelope, and not detecting antibodies in the patient’s blood as in many tests available on the market. This type of solution will allow the determination of the actual presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the analyzed sample, and not the antibodies generated in the human body as a result of infection. This test will therefore clearly confirm the SARS-CoV-2 infection – says Dr Joanna Jankowska-Śliwińska from the Łukasiewicz – ITE.

The test developed in the Łukasiewicz Network could be widely used in the control of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, in particular at border crossings, airports, public places, clinics or doctor’s offices and will replace the currently commonly used temperature measurement.