Breathtaking: New Covid-19 PCR test based on exhaled breath indicates infectiousness
Belgian researchers have developed a new SARS-CoV-2 test that aims to reliably identify positive cases at the point of care. Contrary to existing solutions based on saliva or a nasopharyngeal swab, the new test directly samples viral particles in one’s exhaled breath – making a potential test for infectiousness and highly convenient for frequent (even daily) and widespread use. Imec developed the solution in collaboration with Belgium’s UZ Leuven University Hospital to conduct the clinical validation.
Tim Stakenborg, principal member of technical staff at imec, spoke with Medical Product Outsourcing about this novel approach. Read the article here.
Authors
Tim Stakenborg
Tim Stakenborg graduated in 1998 at the University of Leuven as a master in engineering in chemistry and biochemistry. After being a project engineer at Alcon-Novartis and his PhD in molecular biology, he joined imec. At imec, Tim is currently a principal member of the technical staff and group leader in the life science technology department. He has been a project lead in several funded and industrial research projects especially focusing on merging biology with technology. In his current role of group leader, he is heavily involved in the transfer and integration of key technical components in fully functional devices.
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