Michigan schools to study genomic data | Low-cost COVID test

Four Michigan schools funded to study genomic data

MICHIGAN—Four Michigan universities will receive $18.5 million in federal funds over the next two years to collect and analyze genomic data to address emerging infectious disease threats, including SARS-CoV-2. Those participating are University of Michigan, Michigan Tech University, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University.

Low-cost COVID-19 test

CHAPEL HILL, NC—A team led by Ronit Freeman, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina’s Department of Applied Physics, has developed a low-cost COVID-19 test. The development of GlycoGrip was based on how COVID-19 infects cells. In the body, cells are sheathed in a sugary coating to which viral material also binds before infection. GlycoGrip uses these same sugars to capture and detect the virus.

Ensuring safe transport for vaccines

OAK RIDGE, TN—Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have retrofitted a commercial refrigeration container designed to ensure COVID-19 vaccines remain at ultra-low temperatures during long transport and while locally stored.