A research team at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is leading the way to develop a fast-acting COVID-19 antibody test.
The project is part of a partnership with other researchers and with ni2o Inc., a medical device company. UNL Chemistry Professor David Hage said he was working on a design with his research team in mid-March when the company approached them to collaborate on antibody test development.
Hage said the company is helping organize marketing and seeking FDA approval, while researchers are supplying the information.
He says antibodies indicate a few things about individual response to COVID-19.
"Detecting antibodies of the COVID-19 virus tells you, first of all, whether you’ve been exposed to the virus, because once you’re exposed, you should develop antibodies to it," Hage said. "And then after you’ve gotten better from having the disease, it’ll tell you if you’ve developed any immunity or any antibody response to the virus."
Hage said the testing could be used for vaccine development by determining eligible candidates for trials. He said these tests are one of the things, along with social distancing and vaccine development, that are part of a bigger plan to combat the spread of the virus.