OU seeks fast results in virus study

Researchers need volunteers in COVID-19 fingertip blood-testing experiment

A group of researchers at Oakland University are seeking participants for a study into the feasibility of finger-tip blood testing for

COVID-19 antibodies.

The test would potentially cut down time on receiving results by using an indicator system as opposed to sending the blood sample to a lab. Patients would be able to receive results of the test within 15 minutes, according to Nahrain Putris, a medical student at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.

“This test format could potentially be used for onsite testing and by mobile testing teams. To use such an on-site finger-tip blood test, we must first confirm that the test method can detect persons with antibodies to COVID-19, and that the test is reliable,” Purtris said.

Participants will only have blood drawn once with a sterilised single-use finger-tip lancet. The group is looking for participants who are over the age of 18. The study is open to those who both have and have not been treated for the virus, those who have been symptomatic and asymptomatic, as well as:

Those who have already been subjected to a COVID-19 antibody test by a clinical lab testing service and have either a positive or negative result

Those who have had a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and have since recovered from the virus and tested negative for the COVID-19 virus, or have been clinically cleared by medical staff.

The study will take place at the Eye Research Institute on campus at Oakland University. To volunteer for the study, contact the researchers at igenomes@ gmail.com using the subject line “Serum Antibody Research.”

The study is not meant to provide a medical diagnosis.