Edmonton company creates new COVID-19 rapid test technology that can detect other diseases
New technology developed in Edmonton to make taking a rapid test for COVID-19 easier may be used to detect other diseases.
During the pandemic, GLC Medical Inc. rushed to create a better rapid test that could produce results under a minute and is less invasive.
The test uses electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), a technique mainly used in research labs to investigate material properties and electrode reactions.
"Over decades of research, it has not been achieved for reproducible, repeatable results," said Donna Mandau, GLC Medical founder, president and CEO.
"In the last seven to eight months, we have worked mostly on optimizing this technology, achieving a reproducible sensor and again optimizing this EIS technique to be applied on these sensors," said Dr. Ushula Tefashe, a scientist working on the project.
"It is the first of its kind and it is a global breakthrough," Tefashe said.
To use the test, you place a saliva collector in your mouth under your tongue for about 30 seconds. That sample is then mixed with a solution and placed on a reader with a microchip.
The chip is read by a sensor, with results displayed on a computer in seconds.
Mandau says the company is exploring techniques to use the rapid test to detect other diseases, like HIV, malaria, and ebola.
"We also have the potential for (the detection) of cancer markers," Mandau added.
"That's really just the beginning," said Mikolai Vajda, a lab technician.
"It can be used for other viruses, other platforms any other biologicals found in the human body," he said. "Like this is really the introduction to lab on a chip."
GLC Medical hopes to connect with a partner to manufacture the rapid tests on a larger scale and make it the new standard.
"It's now time to bring this to the market and to the world," Tefashe said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Former Sask. massage therapist who sexually assaulted clients has day parole revoked
A former massage therapist who pleaded guilty to a string of sexual assaults has had his day parole revoked.