Turkish Scientists Develop Coronavirus Diagnostic System

Researchers at Bilkent University's National Nanotechnology Research Center have developed a nanotechnology-based diagnostic system that can detect coronavirus in 10 seconds with 99 percent accuracy without requiring a nasal swab. The high-tech product, described as the world's first of its kind and branded "Diagnovir," is Turkish-made and intended to replace foreign-origin PCR tests. Bilkent University Rector Prof. Dr. Abdullah Atalar shared the positive results of months of collaborative work that began following the first case in Turkey. Atalar noted that coronavirus has brought the world to its knees, stating: "Coronavirus is a particle 150 nanometers in size. Our UNAM researchers have worked with particles at the nano scale for years. Therefore, this matter falls squarely within the domain of our academics working in nanotechnology." Atalar indicated that the project was launched immediately following the emergence of coronavirus cases in Turkey to develop a rapid-result test system, continuing: "The project is complete and a method has been developed that can replace PCR and deliver results in seconds. If positive, it gives immediate results; if negative, it takes somewhat longer with controls. In the checks performed, we observed that even when the PCR of those found positive by this method came back negative, their PCR turned positive a few days later. This device is entirely Turkish-made. The world will benefit from this unique technology belonging to Turkey. We owe this, of course, to our academics and the research environment at Bilkent UNAM." Source: AA