Scientists at the University of Valencia have created a device that directly detects the dangerous levels of the emerging coronavirus in the air, the University federation of Valencia, Spain, announced.
According to the website of the Federation of Universities of Valencia RUVID, this system, based on a highly sensitive biological sensor, can monitor the level of SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins in environmental aerosols.
"The preventive control strategy must take into account the spread of the virus through aerosols to effectively mitigate its effects," says Professor Angel McCuira. This device uses special antibodies that can detect the emerging coronavirus in the air."
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The innovators tested this device on molecules containing 4 key structural proteins of the virus: prickly protein (S), coated protein (E), membrane protein (M), and nucleocapsid protein (N), i.e. all the structural elements of the virus that enable the immune system to recognize it. When the device detects the high level of these proteins in the air, it releases a warning signal.
The device is currently undergoing tests at the main university hospital in Casilu. "The results will allow proposals to reduce the risk of infection in hospitals, clinics and public places," said Mario Garballido, director of the hospital.
The IDM-UPV is easy to use and low cost. Innovators point out that currently there is no instance in the global market that directly allows the sars-CoV-2 virus to be measured in the air.
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