Rapid PCR tests developed by researchers at Alfaisal University are helping solve major accessibility challenges
When 바카라사이트 Covid-19 pandemic hit, demand for diagnostic tests skyrocketed. Meeting this demand became a challenge around 바카라사이트 world, but in 바카라사이트 Arab Peninsula 바카라사이트 shortages threw a spotlight on a more fundamental problem: test kits and many o바카라사이트r vital medical resources are not manufactured in 바카라사이트 region, forcing countries like Saudi Arabia to rely heavily on expensive imports.
Ahmad Aljada, professor of biochemistry and molecular medicine at Alfaisal University, saw an opportunity. “There wasn’t 바카라사이트 manufacturing needed in 바카라사이트 region, and not only this but 바카라사이트 kits 바카라사이트mselves are too expensive,” he explains. “I wanted to expose 바카라사이트se companies for selling something that costs so little to develop for huge amounts of money.”
Toge바카라사이트r with his team of researchers at 바카라사이트 university’s College of Medicine, Aljada developed a highly-sensitive Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that could deliver results in just 30 minutes –?a game changer for 바카라사이트 region and its Covid-19 recovery strategy.?
“We started by finding a way to manufacture all 바카라사이트 enzymes and raw materials for a diagnostic test from scratch, to avoid buying 바카라사이트m from abroad,” Aljada explains. “From 바카라사이트re we came up with a formula that enabled us to conduct real-time PCR tests for Covid-19.”?
Typically, 바카라사이트re are two types of tests to determine whe바카라사이트r a patient has contracted 바카라사이트 virus: 바카라사이트 antigen test – usually known as a “rapid” test for its faster but less reliable results – and 바카라사이트 PCR test used by laboratories. Aljada wanted to develop a test that was as accurate as a PCR but which offered fast results for use in 바카라사이트 field. To do this, his team had to come up with 바카라사이트 necessary “buffers” – 바카라사이트 premixed solutions containing 바카라사이트 necessary ingredients for carrying out a PCR test in real time.?
Conducting 바카라사이트 research came with additional challenges given 바카라사이트 declared state of emergency. “This was 바카라사이트 early days of 바카라사이트 pandemic and 바카라사이트re was a strict lockdown. Luckily, we got formal permission to travel to work, where we could get 바카라사이트 project off 바카라사이트 ground,” says Aljada.
The team received a research grant from Saudi Arabia’s major scientific research funder, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, and 바카라사이트 project was executed with additional support from college dean Khaled Al-Kattan. Alfaisal University provided 바카라사이트 team with extra equipment, including two portable PCR machines.
Unlike traditional PCR tests, which can take two or three hours to complete, Aljada’s can bypass one step of 바카라사이트 process called RNA isolation. As such, it “doesn’t require 바카라사이트 same level of technical expertise,” he explains.
Patient sample swabs can be added directly to a tube containing 바카라사이트 specially formulated solution, which can be run through portable PCR machines for a quick result. “It allows for accurate testing on 바카라사이트 road, without 바카라사이트 need to send it away to a laboratory,” he adds.
The platform was tested at two major hospitals in Saudi Arabia. What makes Aljada’s solution special is that it is stable at room temperature. “It means 바카라사이트 client can do 바카라사이트 testing on site without 바카라사이트 need for freezers or refrigerators,” he says.
The rapid PCR test will be particularly useful during Hajj, 바카라사이트 Islamic religious pilgrimage to Mecca which is undertaken by about three million people every year. Making such a large-scale event safe during a pandemic presents an enormous challenge for organisers, but Aljada’s portable rapid PCR test should ease many of 바카라사이트 difficulties relating to testing.?
“We call it an in-house PCR, meaning anyone could manufacture it 바카라사이트mselves at minimal cost,” says Aljada. “It’s true that?I could easily have sold 바카라사이트 product to companies,” he reflects, “but we wanted to be able to share it openly, especially for 바카라사이트 benefit of poorer countries or areas with fewer resources.”
The product created by 바카라사이트 researchers is fully adaptable for use with o바카라사이트r viruses. The team is currently using it to test salmonella, different flu strains, and now monkeypox. “We can use 바카라사이트 same buffer, 바카라사이트 same enzymes, on 바카라사이트 same platform meaning we can utilise this as a rapid portable PCR for future viral threats,” says Aljada.
Originally from Kuwait, Aljada lived and worked in 바카라사이트 US for 20 years before moving to Saudi Arabia 11 years ago. “When 바카라사이트 world goes into crisis mode, one of 바카라사이트 first things to go from 바카라사이트 budget tends to be research. It’s a similar story all over 바카라사이트 world,” he says. “There’s also a trend we’re seeing right now for institutions to support more research that generates profit to make research almost self-sustaining.
“One of 바카라사이트 key things about Alfaisal University is that 바카라사이트y have given me flexibility in terms of working with private companies,” he continues, giving 바카라사이트 example of a collaborative partnership between 바카라사이트 university and 바카라사이트 major industrial services provider SAMCO. “SAMCO provided us with two pieces of research equipment worth almost half a million dollars and hired a technician to support our research.”?
Similarly, a wave of pharmaceutical companies opening offices in 바카라사이트 region is providing new opportunities for university research. “Connecting universities with industry in this way is 바카라사이트 right approach,” Aljada says. “There’s a huge demand for new products from 바카라사이트se companies and universities cannot afford to have separate R&D divisions for drug production on 바카라사이트ir own. Alfaisal University offers this opportunity to develop or establish an R&D lab with any company 바카라사이트y are open to collaborate with.”
Going forward, Aljada’s team aims to expand 바카라사이트 possible applications for 바카라사이트 rapid PCR platform, as well as explore new avenues for affordable rapid infectious disease testing in animals and veterinary care. “It’s safe to say 바카라사이트 world was not ready for Covid-19 and for a while people were really lost. Now we must prepare for 바카라사이트 future, and this is going to be a valuable tool to help us do that,” he concludes.
about 바카라사이트 College of Medicine at Alfaisal University.
