Albany, New York (NEWS10) — SUNY Polytechnic Institute is receiving new funding to create more accurate COVID-19 tests. The State is awarding the school a $500,000 grant to support a partnership with the Wadsworth Center and Science, Inc.
The researchers are working to create a 30-minute antibody test, which could determine vaccination status, previous exposure, and immunity levels. Experts say the test could also be applied to tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease.
The research is led by SUNY Poly interim vice president of research and Empire Innovation Professor of Nanobioscience, Dr. Nate Cady. “This public-private partnership is a prime example of the potential impact SUNY Poly faculty can have on real-world challenges,” said SUNY Poly Acting President Dr. Tod A. Laursen. “I am proud to congratulate Dr. Cady, as well as Science, Inc. and the Wadsworth Center for receiving this grant to accelerate understanding of individual immunity status from COVID-19 through this more efficient testing platform.”
While COVID-19 cases appear to be declining globally, any decline in immunity or the possibility of variants that can escape a person’s antibodies could threaten progress. This platform technology aims to provide a data-driven pathway for virus mitigation through widely available, accurate and quantitative profiles of patient immunity. In the future, the project envisions providing an internship opportunity along with hands-on research for a SUNY Poly undergraduate student.
.
