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Ask HN: How to build COVID-19 test kit?

11 points by byebyetech ↗ HN
I am curious if there are any biotech experts here who can answer this. Can we open source methods to build COVID-19 test kits? What raw material, tools are needed to pull it off. Given the current testing disaster going on in the US. Would it be possible to go decentralized?

5 comments

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byoung2
Your bottleneck would not be the building of the test (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/brands/thermo-scient...), but the FDA approval. The CDC was able to get emergency use authorization from the FDA in 1 day for its test, but you are not the CDC.
byebyetech
Why would I need FDA approval if I want to use test for myself or friends? Bio hackers do all kinds of experiments with CRISPR technology.
byoung2
Ah, I thought you were trying to solve the broader bottleneck of testing which would require approval. But as a hobby just for fun, I suppose you could do anything you want...not sure how useful it would be (would you trust your result? Would health agencies take your result as evidence?)
jrowley
I imagine it would be challenging to get the necessary samples to accurately calibrate the test/ensure efficacy?