BHU women researchers get patent for 'cheap and fast' Covid-19 test method

VARANASI: After the Pune-based virologist, who reportedly developed the country's first testing kit for corona virus, now women researchers in Varanasi have come up with a new test method for Covid-19. The team has already patented the method.
A group of women scientists at the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, have claimed to have developed a novel test metho bassed on RT PCR (Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction) for Covid-19 with 100% accuracy.
"Through this low-cost method, the results would be available within a few hours. We have got this method patented and approached the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) for further guidance and support in the matter so that it can be taken to the masses," said Dr Geeta Rai, who leads the research team comprising Doli Das, Khusbu Priya and Hiral Thacker.
According to her, this RT PCR (qualitative)-based detection method for Covid-19 guarantees 100% accuracy, low cost, rapid detection, no requirement for a probe or high cost machines.