In Pennsylvania, a team of researchers has developed a biodegradable test for COVID-19 in the hopes of reducing the large amount of plastics waste associated with at-home testing.
Developed in the lab of César de la Fuente, Presidential Assistant Professor in bioengineering, microbiology, and psychiatry at University of Pennsylvania, the test employs bacterial cellulose and costs around $3.50 per test.
“When we create new technology, we have a responsibility to think through the consequences for the planet and to find ways to mitigate the environmental impact,” de la Fuente told Engineering Today. “We will be continuing to perfect this technology, which could hopefully help many people in the future, while also looking to expand it to other emerging pathogens in anticipation of future pandemics,” he said.