THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology announced that a new testing kit to detect Covid19 infection is likely to be developed by May this year.

Spearheaded by Dr. Fresthel Monica Climacosa of the University of the Philippines Manila, along with collaborators from the University of Toronto in Canada, the testing kit is called “Development of a Cell-Based Immunoassay for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Serologic Testing.”

DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said the kit will be a cell-based immunoassay for serologic testing.

“There are three types of tests available. The polymerase chain reaction testing and antigen testing can both test for active infection,” De la Peña said.

“Serological testing tests the antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and can detect whether a person was previously infected with Covid19,” he added.

The DOST chief explained that the immunoassay method will use engineered yeast cells to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

“The project team had already made significant progress in using a cell-surface engineered yeast in an agglutination (clumping)-based immunoassay for the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in human serum samples,” De la Peña said.

“This could be used in remote areas which lack sophisticated laboratory equipment and infrastructure. It would benefit communities, researchers, and clinicians determined to address local and global burdens of Covid19, specifically in improving access to diagnostic tools for mass disease surveillance,” he added.

The project is supported by the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development with a funding of P5 million.