A team of researchers in Western Australia is working on ways they hope will halt the spread of this deadly pandemic.
Dr Rakesh Naduvile Veedu, an Associate Professor at the Murdoch University in Perth, is one of the 12 who received the $3 million grant launched by the Western Australia government for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.
“We aimed to develop a faster and more accurate test for COVID-19," he told SBS Malayalam.
“We are working on a pregnancy test kit like a device that could give the test result in seconds.”
Source: Supplied
Dr Veedu, who leads the team is a Perron Institute McCusker Associate Professor and head of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Research at the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics (CMMIT) in Perth.
'Test within seconds'
“Current detection of the COVID-19 virus is a commonly used molecular process known as RT-PCR. Although this represents the gold standard, it requires sophisticated facilities, highly trained people, and lengthy-time for analysis.
“Another test currently in use as an alternative is an antibody paper assay that can be completed in minutes, but it is less accurate. Antibodies initiated by the virus take 4-14 days to develop. There are also some patients who do not have detectable antibodies even weeks after infection."
This, he says, can initiate the community spread of the virus.
We’re hoping our research, and new testing method, will help to reduce the public health risk by identifying infectious patients sooner and eliminating the threat of unwanted community transmission.
"However, we are trying to find out a test that can give an accurate result within seconds. For this, we are developing a novel “molecular plug” for directly detecting the virus in patient swabs, using a paper-based test. We are in the final stage of it.”
In addition to finding a fast-track test to detect the deadly virus, Dr Veedu is also in the process of finding a therapeutic drug to putting an end to the spread of coronavirus.
Microscopic illustration of the spreading 2019 corona virus that was discovered in Wuhan, China. Source: Getty
Throat spray
As the world eagerly waits for an effective method of treatment and vaccines to halt the deadly virus that has claimed the lives of nearly Dr Veedu and his team are also exploring the potential for developing a novel anti-COVID-19 therapeutic drug in the form of a molecular throat spray.
“We are trying to develop medicine and not a vaccine. Medicine in the form of a throat spray that could be very handy and user friendly for the common man,” he said.
“We are attempting the possibility of a throat spray or inhaler. The medicine sprayed into the throat can prevent the virus from entering human cells. So, then we can easily stop the spread of this virus."
He says they chose that method because it was user friendly.
"We are aiming a spray that can be made available from a chemist similar to the sprays used for throat pain.”
The team is also exploring the possibilities of this medicine administered through a vein after the success of these findings.
Scanning electron microscope from the National Institutes of Health image of SARS-CoV-2 emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. Source: AAP
“Initially we will test the efficacy of spray and then will explore the possibilities of administering it through the vein (intravenous or IV). But to administer IV, a person has to be admitted to the hospital. So, to make it easily available for a common man, that we chose spray first,” Dr Veedu said.
The team is aiming to test the efficacy of this diagnostic test kit in six months.
“However, to test the drug molecules, we have to pass through many stages. So, after the completion of the early stage, we have to do the more expensive clinical trials. For that, we are planning to apply for more funding through Federal government agencies in collaboration with hospital colleagues.
"That will be our next target,” he added.
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