US scientists develop cheap smartphone-based test kit for Covid
by Hannah Devlin Science correspondent from Technology | The Guardian on (#5VHAT)
Doing a test with new technique could cost a 10th of a PCR and has been as reliable in small-scale trial
Scientists have developed a highly sensitive Covid test that relies only on low-tech kit and a smartphone, which could be used as a quicker, cheaper alternative to PCR testing.
The team behind the 25-minute saliva test say it provides a highly reliable platform for testing in the workplace or at home. It requires a basic lab kit that includes a cardboard box, a small hot plate and LED light that can be produced for less than 75. The cost of running a test, including the reagents, is about a 10th of a PCR test and is also cheaper than a lateral flow test. The team's findings are published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
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