A Portuguese diagnostic test for the new coronavirus, developed by iMM researchers, is about to be completed. Professor Maria Mota explains how the idea came about and all the steps that were taken, in view of the inevitability of exhausting diagnostic tests from abroad. “We started to think: as scientists, how can we help? We can use kits and reagents that we have in Portugal and that we think will not run out easily, "he said.

The diagnostic kit has already been accredited by the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge and the second phase of the process is now underway, namely, the detection, or reading, of the virus's genetic material, and soon the test should be ready to be used, with an estimated performance of 300 to 1000 tests per day.

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