The nanotechnology-based diagnostic system developed by the researchers at Bilkent University National Nanotechnology Research Center has passed the reliability tests and started to be used. prof. Dr. Abdullah Atalar said, “At the moment, the mass production process has started. There is demand for the system from all over the world. Airports want large factories, especially since the result can be obtained immediately, because the stoppage of production may cause great costs.”

A test that can diagnose Covid-19 in 10 seconds has been developed by Turkish researchers at Bilkent University National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM).

The system named “Diagnovir”, which was determined to give results with 99% reliability, passed the reliability tests and started to be used.

Bilkent University Rector Prof. Dr. Abdullah Atalar made a statement on the launch of the system developed at UNAM with the cooperation established after the first case was seen in Turkey.

Stating that the project started to develop a test system that gives fast results right after the new type of corona virus (Covid-19) started to appear in Turkey, Atalar stated that the method that can replace PCR and gives results within seconds has been successfully implemented, and gave the following information:

“Currently, the mass production process has started. There is a demand for the system from all over the world and they say they want to use it. Especially in places like airports where the risk of Covid-19 is high, airports want it because the results can be obtained immediately, they want large factories because stopping production may cause great costs. For example, “The German Football League wanted it. We believe there is a system that is unique in the world.”

USED ​​FOR THE FIRST TIME AT GRADUATION CEREMONY
Atalar also stated that the system attracted great attention by being exhibited in some of the world’s most important fairs.

Noting that Bilkent University conducts rapid Covid-19 tests with the system called “Diagnovir” just before the graduation ceremonies of Bilkent University, Atalar said, “The graduation ceremony of our university is held in an open area with 4 thousand people, and approximately 1200 people attend each ceremony, which is held in 8 separate sessions. In the ceremony area. We used this system for the first time this year, even though the social distance is sufficient in terms of contagion.

“SUCCESSFULLY PASSED THE RELIABILITY TESTS”
Bilkent University UNAM principal investigator Bülend Ortaç, on the other hand, EA Teknoloji General Manager Ali Aytaç Seymen, post-doctoral research at the University of Arizona Erol Özgür, Ankara University Faculty Member Assoc. Dr. He stated that they carried out the process successfully after the preclinical study they developed with Erkan Tuncay and announced to the public at the end of last year.

“APPROVAL OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH”
Ortaç gave the following information about this process:

“We have tested that it works with 99 percent accuracy in our clinical studies. The system works on nanotechnology. We applied to the Ministry of Health General Directorate of Public Health with the file we made with these rates, and we received approval from there that we can use this system. Besides this system, a device that can read the technology here and verify the results. “This device was also approved by the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency. With these two approvals, the technology we developed became available in the field.”

Stating that the students and parents who will attend the Bilkent University graduation ceremony performed the Covid-19 tests with 16 different devices, Ortaç said, “The student received the result of the Covid-19 test, we gave a negative test to the student and they attended the ceremony with this badge, thus creating a safe environment for the graduation ceremony. Despite all this, attention is paid to mask and social distance rules,” he said.

HOW DOES THE SYSTEM WORK?
Bülent Ortaç noted the following regarding the working principle of the rapid test kit:

“An oral swab is placed in the rapid test kit. If the virus is positive, the virus proteins bind to this kit and give an optical signal. Algorithms made as a result of this rapid signal can also respond to different variants. These algorithms respond either negatively or positively. If it is positive, the results are obtained within 5-10 seconds, and if it is negative, the results are obtained within 20-30 seconds.

References: https://www.ntv.com.tr/galeri/saglik/covid-19-teshisini-10-saniyeye-dusuren-yerli-test-kullanima-sunuldu,RD4A2MniTk6S9m5Rzc3MEA/XUDWWG0Eek-dWi_En0HvjQ