New test for COVID-19 could detect infection just hours after exposure

New molecular test in early stages of development by researchers at Flatiron Labs Computational Biology Center (CCB) could identify COVID-19 infection just hours after exposure with near-perfect accuracy, much earlier than current tests can detect the virus.

According to CCB research fellow Frank Zhang, lead author of the study, reported on monday Cell report methodthe current COVID-19 test “For example, rely on the same principle of having a detectable amount of viral material accumulated in the nose. , which is difficult.”

Instead of detecting the viral material itself, a new method developed by the CCB team sought to detect markers of how the body mounts an immune response when infected with the virus. SARS-CoV-2They note that when the virus begins to attack the body, certain genes are turned on, and segments of those genes produce mRNAs that signal the construction of specific proteins. By understanding how the mixture of molecules helps code for virus-fighting proteins, the team can identify when the body is mounting an immune response based on the relative abundance of these mRNA molecules. This is the first time this approach has been used to diagnose an infectious disease, according to the researchers.

To develop the test method, the CCB team used blood samples from a 2020 study of US Marine Corps recruits that were collected both before and after the recruits contracted COVID-19. From these samples, the researchers’ computational methods uncovered over 1,000 disease-related mRNA variant ratio changes. When the researcher applied this approach to real blood samples, it showed he was 98.4% accurate in detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Zhang, now an assistant professor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said it was surprising that their test worked so well and showed promise as a complementary testing approach to the gold-standard PCR test. says that

But there is still work to be done, he said. In this initial study, the team tested only blood samples, as opposed to the more common and easier-to-collect nasal swabs used in existing tests. “Although this enables a promising tool for host response diagnostics,” the team says, the body’s response to SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses.

The team hopes to clear this hurdle, building on the work of other teams that have gone on to create tests aimed solely at identifying which genes are turned on during infection. believes that his team’s computational approach can be easily added to these tests to make them even more effective. “Whatever they can do, we can probably investigate and join forces,” Zhang said. This includes methods of detecting infection within hours of exposure to the virus.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos