Researchers at IIT Delhi have developed indigenous test kits for COVID-19. The test kit is designed to be low-cost and affordable, for the kind interest for the general public. Central Government has imposed a price margin of Rs 4,500 on a COVID-19 test if done through Private Laboratories. The COVID-19 test kit developed by IIT Delhi is undergoing clinical trials at National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, after clearing clinical trials, the test kit will be made publically available to at a cheaper price.
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The test kit, developed by a team of nine at the institute's Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, has been successful in the laboratory stage conducted at the institute.
Manoj Menon, a research team-member has told India Today that the current testing methods available are "probe-based" while the IIT research team has developed a "probe-free detection assay" method, which, does not compromise on accuracy and yet its very cost effective.
Vivekanandan Perumal, who led the team, made it public that the team of nine researchers which includes four professors and five PhD scholars. He told the Press Trust of India, 'Once the NIV validates the assay, it can be quickly scaled up to meet the increasing need in our country."
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