Covid19 test project gains $236K funding
A UNIVERSITY of Otago project may help find a faster way to test for Covid19 in work that may provide the edge needed to stop the virus.
University of Otago molecular biologist Associate Prof JoAnn Stanton has gained $235,746 in government funding to develop a ‘‘gamechanger’’ pointofcare test for Covid19.
Prof Stanton, of the Otago anatomy department, said she was ‘‘very, very happy’’ to gain the funding, and optimistic she could help develop an effective pointofcare test, which could potentially deliver a test result within an hour, at a doctor’s practice or airport.
‘‘Rapid testing is right at the centre of the Covid19 response and supports effective identification of cases and contact tracing.
‘‘This tool has the potential to greatly speed up this process and to give us the edge we need to stop this virus,’’ she said.
At present swabs were taken and sent to a central laboratory for testing, which was a robust and costeffective approach.
‘‘If you live in the provinces there is currently an average threeday wait for test results.
‘‘We are looking to be able to produce the test result a lot quicker.’’
She hoped to be trying out an initial form of test with doctors within the research team in three to four months, and also hoped to have a test developed for wider use late this year or early next year.
Prof Stanton is one of three Otago researchers to receive part of the Health Research Council and Ministry of Health’s $3.8 million funding, split among 13 new Covid19 research projects nationally.
Prof Michael Baker ($500,000) and senior lecturer Lesley Gray ($179,904), both from university’s Wellington campus, also received funding.
Prof Baker’s multidisciplinary project aims to help New Zealand be better prepared for the next major public health emergency.
Ms Gray said selfisolation and physical distancing were critical parts of New Zealand’s pandemic response, and her collaborative research aimed to provide a comprehensive picture of how people were selfisolating.