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Development of sensitive, rapid and high-throughput antibody assays for COVID-19

Grant number: COV/ABN/20/02

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Key facts

  • Disease

    COVID-19

  • Known Financial Commitments (USD)

    $126,359.72

  • Funder

    CSO Scotland

  • Principal Investigator

    Prof. Mirela Delibegovic

  • Research Location

    United Kingdom

  • Lead Research Institution

    University of Aberdeen

  • Research Priority Alignment

    N/A

  • Research Category

    Pathogen: natural history, transmission and diagnostics

  • Research Subcategory

    Diagnostics

  • Special Interest Tags

    N/A

  • Study Type

    Non-Clinical

  • Clinical Trial Details

    N/A

  • Broad Policy Alignment

    Pending

  • Age Group

    Unspecified

  • Vulnerable Population

    Drug usersSex workers

  • Occupations of Interest

    Unspecified

Abstract

There is an urgent need for rapid diagnostic tests to support the NHS to contain COVID-19. Existing tests can be unreliable and some are not suited to high throughput. This project will use a new research approach using artificial intelligence (AI) software to identify the specific elements on COVID-19 surface thought to lead to an antibody response in patients (the "short-antigenic epitopes"). This approach could allow for mass screening of NHS staff/keyworkers, identification of high-risk patients/carriers, provide data on the prevalence of COVID-19, surveillance and allow targeted vaccination programs.