How to build COVID-19 test kit?

Question

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?

jrowley · Accepted Answer

I imagine it would be challenging to get the necessary samples to accurately calibrate the test/ensure efficacy?

ninetax · Answer

How would you test it?

byoung2 · Answer

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.