The School of Chemistry of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has been approved to perform rapid tests to diagnose COVID-19 as a measure of epidemiological surveillance.
The UNAM informed through a statement that the authorization was issued by the Dr. Manuel Martínez Báez Institute for Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference (INDRE) so it will be able to make this service available to the public health sector.
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The samples will not be collected by members of the Pre-clinical Investigation Unit (UNIPREC) and of the Food and Biotechnology Department since they will only be in charge of analyzing them in real-time through a PCR .
“Hospitals will send them and we’ll analyze them to detect the presence of the virus and the disease it causes,” said Maricarmen Quirasco Baruch , the coordinator of the academic team.
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The School of Chemistry showed that its laboratory has the technical capacity for the detection of coronavirus in low concentrations so it was authorized.
The INDRE authorization that implies the UNAM laboratory has the capacity to offer the diagnosis was obtained with the joint effort of the UNIPREC and the Food and Biotechnology Department , as well as with authorities from the School of Chemistry that have given their support to the project.
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