Under the leadership of Miriam Klausberger and Mark Dürkop, researchers at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), a cross-university and cross-company consortium with over 100 Viennese researchers, including the Molecular Diagnostics experts from the Center for Health and Bioresources of the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), have developed two serological SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests. For this, they were awarded 3rd place in the public award at the Houskapreis 2021.
A SARS-CoV-2 antibody test determines whether the patient has already had a SARS-CoV-2 infection and whether antibodies against the virus are already present. This is also a way to determine active vaccination protection. High-quality, pure proteins (viral antigens) are necessary for the detection of antibodies after an infection or vaccination.
Under the leadership of Miriam Klausberger and Mark Dürkop (BOKU), two serological SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests have been developed in a cross-university and cross-company consortium with over 100 Viennese researchers. The researchers of the AIT Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Health and Bioresources, tested more than 60 different antigens produced by BOKU for their suitability for the production of diagnostics at the beginning of 2020, thus making a significant contribution to the award-winning work. In addition, the AIT researchers have developed a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test specifically for clinical diagnostic laboratories. After completion of the validation phase, the test is used in clinical diagnostics by the AIT cooperation partner Laboratorium Dr. Kosak, Dr. Reckendorfer und Partner. Read more at: https://www.ait.ac.at/news-events/single-view/detail/6307?cHash=bc7967c84a6357c6e272f37622140bc7
Also interesting on the topic: Antibodies in saliva. The publication by molecular diagnostics expert Peter Hettegger and the PepPipe RSA team in PLOS ONE is one of the most cited publications. And the AIT blog has also summarised the topic in an exciting way.
All information on the Houska Prize 2021: https://bcgruppe.at/project/sars-cov-2-antikoerpertests-eine-oesterreichische-erfolgsgeschichte/