U of G researchers develop method for quicker, more affordable testing for COVID-19

Researchers at the University of Guelph have developed a method that may be able to screen for COVID-19 in a faster and more affordable wayby screening a large number of samples at a time.

ProfessorPaul Hebert and his team are using the same approach developedfor DNA-based species surveillance to detect the virus that causes COVID-19.

Herbert said it would involveexamining a single gene of the virus.

"We genetically tag 10,000 samples so they can be pooled for analysis," he said in a release.

"We then use these tags to connect sequences back to their source sample to ascertain the presence or absence of COVID-19."

Faster and cheaper

COVID-19 tests can cost between $40 to $100, but Herbert saidtesting in bulk can reduce the cost significantly.

By usingnasal swabs or saliva samples, researcherscan screen thousands of samples within an eight to 16-hour period at a cost of$1 persample.

Herbert saidprocessing thousands of samples daily is key tomonitoring the spread of the COVID-19 and could allow for more informed decision makingon the enforcement and relaxation of lockdowns.

"For example, the safe reopening of schools and workplaces will require upwards of 100,000 tests a week," he said.

"Given there is no vaccine for COVID-19, there is an urgent need for rapid, inexpensive screening around the world."