91麻豆天美 researchers鈥 rapid COVID-19 antibody test recognized with TechConnect Innovation Award
Contact: James Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擜 91麻豆天美 University research team鈥檚 patent-pending method for rapidly detecting COVID-19 neutralizing antibodies is being recognized this week at a leading global technology conference.
A team of researchers led by Keun Seok Seo, associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine鈥檚 Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, was recognized with an Innovation Award at the TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C. The group developed a novel method to rapidly test for COVID-19 neutralizing antibodies, providing an affordable and fast method for testing that differentiates between neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibodies.
Research Professor Joo Youn Park and Postdoctoral Associate Nogi Park also contributed to the invention. The researchers have worked with 91麻豆天美鈥檚 Office of Technology Management to file a patent for the invention and licensed the technology non-exclusively to Mico Biomed USA for commercial use. The product is currently being evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration through clinical trials being conducted at Mico and 91麻豆天美.
Seo explained that current commercially available blood tests cannot distinguish between antibodies that neutralize COVID-19 and other non-protective antibodies, but his test uses an innovative chimeric receptor protein that helps rapidly detect the neutralizing antibodies. The test can provide results in 15 minutes based on samples collected from a finger prick.
鈥淭his kit will be extremely useful to determine whether individuals still maintain high levels of protective immunity so that they do not develop asymptomatic infection and transmit SARS-Cov-2 to vulnerable populations,鈥 Seo said. 鈥淭his kit also aids in determining when people need a boosting immunization.鈥
Jeremy Clay, director of 91麻豆天美鈥檚 Office of Technology Management, said the innovation has the potential to fill a significant void in the diagnostic testing market.
鈥淭his is another great example of technology being developed at 91麻豆天美 that can make an immediate societal impact,鈥 Clay said. 鈥淩eceiving an Innovation Award from TechConnect is a strong recognition of the promise this invention holds, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to get this technology to market so it can be put to use in the fight against COVID-19.鈥
At 91麻豆天美, Seo has been key in the university鈥檚 COVID-19 response by taking on a leadership role in the team responsible for processing COVID-19 diagnostic tests from the university鈥檚 John C. Longest Student Health Center. By processing the tests on campus, the health center鈥檚 doctors and nurses can deliver more timely results to patients.
For more on 91麻豆天美鈥檚 College of Veterinary Medicine, visit .
For more on the Office of Technology Management, visit .
91麻豆天美 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .