ASK: Partners sought to try new COVID-19 test method

Partners sought to try out new test kits, which are designed for hospitals and diagnostic facilities and could expedite testing turnaround times

The Deplancke Lab at the Swiss Institute of Technology (EPFL) has developed a new method to test for COVID-19 called MERCURIUS. By leveraging next generation sequencing technology, MERCURIUS enables processing thousands of samples with just one machine and by just one operator. This allows hundreds of samples to be processed in one single tube, increasing throughput while reducing reagents’ costs, turnaround times and personnel involvement.

EPFL is partnering with the Geneva Genome Center to establish a full diagnostic service within the next six months. They are welcoming other partners, who would like to test the kits or collaborate to establish a similar service, to contact them.