A new test seeks to identify viruses, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2, by glycan recognition. Many viruses invade humans via the respiratory tract, whose cells are coated in glycans that the viruses recognize as part of their infectious process. By reversing this process using an artificial glycan receptor, diagnostic devices can capture the virus, yielding a yes/no answer in under 20 minutes. But speed is not the only advantage over PCR-based diagnostic methods; the device is also hand-held, meaning it can be used at the point of care, and glycan-based testing is unaffected by changes to the virus’ genetic code.
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