IIT Guwahati research on Covid-19 detection sensor to be presented at BRICS conclave in Sept
IIT Guwahati (File Image)GUWAHATI: A research carried out by IIT Guwahati scholar Sayantan Sinha on a sensor which can detect the Covid-19 virus will be showcased at the BRICS-Young Scientist Conclave (YSC)-2020 to be organized by Russia in September.
The research, which has been selected by the central department of science and technology, was supervised by eminent scientist Subhendu Sekhar Bag.
Elaborating on the research, Sayantan their project — which is a proposed peptide-based biosensor — will be capable of detecting the novel coronavirus in any environmental or biological sample. This sensor will thus remove the need of carrying out rapid antigen or RT-PCR tests which are much more costlier. As per his estimates, the sensor will cost around Rs 50.
“No sample preparation is needed. It is a ready technology. If such a sensor can be developed, it can be applied and used by everyone. irrespective of knowledge and proficiency. The project is designed in such a way that it would be well accepted and understood by the masses. The ultimate goal is to develop the prototype as a spray. This spray will be formulated based on our sensor molecule, which, when sprayed on the infected surface can detect the virus,” he told TOI.
The project titled “Development of a Fluorescent Peptide based sensor for rapid and specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Environment” aims at developing a biosensor that will detect SARS-CoV-2 in the outer environment.
At a time when the entire world is fighting against the deadly virus, detection of it has become a necessity. Presently, most detection protocols, procedures, sensors and kits are focused towards detection of the viral RNA (which is indicated by isolation of RNA from the virus during testing), but these techniques are expensive, laborious and needs special expertise and often fail to give results instantly.
The idea of the BRICS Young Scientist Forum was adopted at the 2nd BRICS Science, Technology, and Innovation ministerial meeting. BRICS-YSC-2020 is one of the most reputed meet of young scientists, representing their country at the forum. Every year, 21 participants are selected from India. This time, 20 young scientists have been selected to represent India at the BRICS platform.
“I have been selected in the category of four young innovators. My project is assigned to the thematic area Ecology (section: chemical biology),” Sayantan, a final year PhD student at the Chemical Biology Laboratory and Center for the Environment at IIT Guwahati, said.
BRICS YSC-2020 is tentatively scheduled to be held at Chelyabinsk in Russia between September 7 and 11.
“My project is assigned to the thematic area Ecology under section chemical biology. My competition was even tougher than the others, as only two positions have been assigned for young innovators. The mode of selection was based on academic profile and research contributions as well as the merit of submitted research project proposal in respective fields,” he added.
The research, which has been selected by the central department of science and technology, was supervised by eminent scientist Subhendu Sekhar Bag.
Elaborating on the research, Sayantan their project — which is a proposed peptide-based biosensor — will be capable of detecting the novel coronavirus in any environmental or biological sample. This sensor will thus remove the need of carrying out rapid antigen or RT-PCR tests which are much more costlier. As per his estimates, the sensor will cost around Rs 50.
“No sample preparation is needed. It is a ready technology. If such a sensor can be developed, it can be applied and used by everyone. irrespective of knowledge and proficiency. The project is designed in such a way that it would be well accepted and understood by the masses. The ultimate goal is to develop the prototype as a spray. This spray will be formulated based on our sensor molecule, which, when sprayed on the infected surface can detect the virus,” he told TOI.
The project titled “Development of a Fluorescent Peptide based sensor for rapid and specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Environment” aims at developing a biosensor that will detect SARS-CoV-2 in the outer environment.
At a time when the entire world is fighting against the deadly virus, detection of it has become a necessity. Presently, most detection protocols, procedures, sensors and kits are focused towards detection of the viral RNA (which is indicated by isolation of RNA from the virus during testing), but these techniques are expensive, laborious and needs special expertise and often fail to give results instantly.
The idea of the BRICS Young Scientist Forum was adopted at the 2nd BRICS Science, Technology, and Innovation ministerial meeting. BRICS-YSC-2020 is one of the most reputed meet of young scientists, representing their country at the forum. Every year, 21 participants are selected from India. This time, 20 young scientists have been selected to represent India at the BRICS platform.
“I have been selected in the category of four young innovators. My project is assigned to the thematic area Ecology (section: chemical biology),” Sayantan, a final year PhD student at the Chemical Biology Laboratory and Center for the Environment at IIT Guwahati, said.
BRICS YSC-2020 is tentatively scheduled to be held at Chelyabinsk in Russia between September 7 and 11.
“My project is assigned to the thematic area Ecology under section chemical biology. My competition was even tougher than the others, as only two positions have been assigned for young innovators. The mode of selection was based on academic profile and research contributions as well as the merit of submitted research project proposal in respective fields,” he added.
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