Alex Baker, an MIBTP 3rd year student, is part of a team at the University of Warwick who are developing a new diagnostic tool for rapid detection of Coronavirus. The tool, being developed by the The Gibson Lab at the University of Warwick, in collaboration with its partner Iceni Diagnostics, may allow on-the-spot detection of Coronavirus infection, without facilities using a simple disposal device using glycans (sugars) to detect the virus.

There is an urgent need for new diagnostics, especially those which give rapid results for screening of healthcare professions or for getting transportation, education and manufacturing hubs running again.

The diagnostic proof of principle has been demonstrated in initial studies, but the partnership is now searching for investment or philanthropic donors to take the concept forward.