BioMark, an I&D group, will develop rapid and low-cost tests for monitoring antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in serum or saliva samples.

The TecniCOV project integrates ISEP, the company INOVA +, the Faculty of Science and Technology of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa and the University of Coimbra. The teams will produce different types of rapid tests, with results up to 30 minutes, and with a cost between two and six euros.

The researchers propose an innovative approach to the rapid monitoring of antibodies to Covid-19, through tests with paper test strips (similar to urine test strips), lateral flow systems (such as pregnancy tests) and electrochemical sensors (diabetes strip type).

"The great innovation of this proposal focuses on the use of synthetic materials of high affinity for antibodies produced in vivo and that will allow the production of rapid tests with high sensitivity, avoiding false negatives and inconclusive results", explains Felismina Moreira, BioMark researcher.

The team wants to develop a device to be used by health professionals and that can be replicated at a low cost worldwide.

TecniCOV is financed by the National Innovation Agency, responsible for the intervention in six programs of Portugal 2020, with a global budget of 450,000 euros.