Researchers in Canada using algae to produce low-cost Covid-19 test kits

According to the researchers from the University of Western Ontario in Canada that the new method overcomes shortfalls of existing processes while saving money.

The team collaborated with Canadian integrated energy company Suncor to develop algae as a production factory to make necessary proteins to identify COVID-19 antibodies in someone previously infected with the



disease.

The researchers noted that one of the limiting factors in developing large-scale serological testing is the ability to make significant quantities of the viral proteins on a cost-effective basis.

According to the researchers, algae are cheap to grow and can easily be engineered to produce the viral proteins.