COVID-19 Testing R&D Highlights
![](/-/media/nvbl/images/CDC_2019-nCoV_Laboratory_Test_Kit.jpg?h=286&w=350&hash=ED2D4A20230BFB5A6FD882DD4497387C4384BF35DD031FBEF2194B40A6E44324)
Developed analysis tools to maintain awareness of the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome, as it relates to nucleic acid-based assays. For example, see https://covid19.edgebioinformatics.org/#/home for an automatic in silico evaluation of diagnostic assays used around the world. On December 20, 2020, this web application provided comparisons for 17 assays using 44,224 SARS-CoV-2 genomes.
![](/-/media/nvbl/images/coronavirus.jpg?h=197&w=350&hash=D8E6414CD9AB6411D4EA11CA931823142136768D6726D48DA023C13148838B1C)
Identified distinguishing signatures in the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome that can be used to rapidly detect this pathogen and other co-infecting pathogens in multiplexed assays. For example, this advance identified potentially significant relationships of co-infections with Streptococcus pneumonia and Streptococcus pyogenes in positive COVID-19 samples; co-infections with other pathogens are being evaluated.
![](/-/media/nvbl/images/Purple-Squiggles.jpg?h=263&w=350&hash=9EC486129CF50592664BDE96789A3D3745E751FDF3E89169CE6E3E4093DC82FE)
Developed a small nucleic acid test instrument that can rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2 with high sensitivity. The Reveal-CoV instrument, which uses a one-step amplification process followed by heat inactivation and lysis, employs a colorimetric change for detection.
![](/-/media/nvbl/images/test-instrument.jpg?h=335&w=211&hash=EEF64A0F40C8B629EFB624EC354FBBE5F4D84981997C6160D6AE4F9BC613A27A)
Devised a “COVID Whistle” that incorporates sample collection media to simplify both collection of exhaled breath and extraction of virus; device is being evaluated by a university collaborator.
![](/-/media/nvbl/images/covid-whistle.png?h=190&w=350&hash=B7C6368DBA675621DE34B16C3E4651CB05EF939E695CD144531FB9FB7159D175)