JNU to develop portable COVID-19 testing device

May 13: In a statement released by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, it was stated that they are developing a low-cost portable and battery operated device to test COVID-19. According to JNU, the device can complete testing in 50 minutes while it takes 120-180 minutes through the conventional method.

JNU through its newly launched initiative “Global Alumni Connect” has started to reach out to its alumni spread across the world to invite them to share their expertise on stemming the COVID-19 pandemic menace. https://t.co/B1vPmvFlI4

— Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) May 13, 2020

A team led by Dr Jaydeep Bhattacharya from the School of Biotechnology, JNU, has designed a chip-based low-cost portable spatial RT-PCR where the PCR has been integrated with the in-built detection system containing LED and diode detector. As per the JNU, the technology will cost Rs 60,000 to Rs 1 lakh as compared to conventional real-time PCR which comes at Rs 10-15 lakh. The prototype of the device can be expected within four months, informed the vice-chancellor in a tweet.