Coronavirus antibody tests are performed to determine if a patient has previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Assistant Professor Jesse Zalatan and coworkers are developing an inexpensive, highly-accurate platform to rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in patient samples, helping public health officials track the spread of COVID-19, respond to outbreaks and support the development of diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines.
Their work is funded by an Early Concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) from the NSF that supports “high risk, high reward” exploratory research projects involving radically different approaches, the application of new expertise, or novel disciplinary or interdisciplinary perspectives. James Carothers, associate professor of chemical engineering, and Zalatan will receive $300,000 over a one-year period from funds made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.