GloTest

Brief ideation of positive samples (photo for information only)

Inspiration

I've always been fascinated by fluorescence and bioluminescence since I first saw it being used in a lab. I find it a very useful tool that can be applied to solving many biology-related problems. This concept came to my mind because I believe it could be useful in the testing for various microorganisms and pathogens and therefore could be applied into the testing for the SARS-COV-2 virus.

What it does

This testing kit provides an at-home SARS-COV-2 screening that relies on fluorescent DNA labelling and AI for the ultimate confirmation. This test kit is meant to be as user-friendly as possible since it is meant to be done at the home of the suspected infected person. In doing so, further contamination and purposeless hospital visits are avoided.

Product instructions theoretical

1) Open vial and

How I built it

To build it we will rely on existing technologies and integrate them into a new product. These technologies will be: DNA Labelling and iAmp Covid detection, AI photo recognition and App development. The design of a user-friendly test tube will also take part of the project since it will be the first and only physical interface the user will have with the product itself, so a product design team will be implemented.

Challenges I ran into

I'm still stuck on the challenge of combining these first two technologies (DNA Labelling and iAmp Covid detection) into one final product and require a team to help develop the software and the integration of AI.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

I am particularly proud of being able to find these technologies and having the idea of combining them into one product with my undergraduate-level knowledge of biotechnologies and molecular biology.

What I learned

I have learned about these new technologies and their applications, about lab procedures and the mechanisms implemented in today's pathogen testing. I've also learned about internet research and how to use our day-to-day tools into something productive.

What's next for GloTest

The ideal future for GloTest would be the mass production of testing kits and the use of local governments and health institutions as distribution channels to implement a "Stay-at-home" testing program in order to avoid further contamination, vain use of resources; And possibly a mass screening of this virus for health and statistical purposes.