IIT Delhi Projects get Financial Support from Microsoft India amidst Pandemic

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi has announced that two of its projects developed to fight coronavirus, has received support from Microsoft India.

The two IIT Delhi projects are the PCR-based COVID-19 detection assay and ELISA based diagnostic serological assay against COVID-19.

Dr Sapna Poti, a part of COVID-19 special task force at the principal scientific advisor's office, IIT Delhi, said: “Research is one among the foremost important aspects of COVID-19. The principal scientific advisor's office is pleased with IIT Delhi that it's successfully developed a low-cost high-quality testing solution using one-step RT-PCR assay and dealing on ELISA methodology. Microsoft India, known for its philanthropic founder and leadership, has supported the initiative both through support and global technical resources and infrastructure.”

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has earlier approved probe-free coronavirus detection assay which was developed at the Kusuma School of Biological Sciences (KSBS), IIT Delhi. This assay is beneficial for specific and affordable high throughput testing. It are often easily scaled up also , because it doesn't require fluorescent probes.

The other project, a tie-up between IIT Delhi and National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, aims to develop an ELISA based diagnostic serological assay against coronavirus. If tested successfully, the assay will create a cheap , commercial process for manufacturing the antigens utilized in ELISA and home-based diagnostic kits to supply “an effective, quick, robust and affordable” diagnostic solution to coronavirus outbreak.

Professor Vivekanandan Perumal (KSBS, IIT Delhi), PI of the RT-PCR-based COVID-19 detection assay project, within the statement said: “The funds from Microsoft India are going to be utilized for establishing a fast-PCR protocol for our ICMR-approved assay.”

IIT Delhi during a bid to fight coronavirus had worked on variety of products ranging from reusable antimicrobial masks to dashboards to detect coronavirus spread.