COVID-19 testing involves the collaboration of researchers belonging to two research units of Técnico: the Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies (C²TN) and the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB). During the first week, 830 tests were performed. The samples are received at the IST – CTN campus where the volunteers of the C²TN team perform the viral inactivation of the samples. The inactivation procedure is carried out at the Laboratory of Technological Assays in Clean Rooms (LETAL). After inactivation, the samples go to IST – Alameda campus where the iBB team extracts and detects the viral RNA present (or not) in the samples.

With this initiative, Técnico joins several other scientific institutions that are already performing SARS-CoV-2 detection tests, further contributing to the fight against this public health emergency.