Dr. Kathryn Kundrod: The State of COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing; How We Got Here, Types of Tests, and Emerging Technologies

The Bioinformatics and Beyond Podcast

In this episode, we explore the landscape of COVID-19 diagnostic testing with Dr. Kathryn Kundrod. Dr. Kundrod walks us through a bit of history on how we got to where we are at with COVID-19 diagnostic testing from the start of the pandemic to now. This history includes perspectives from both the technical and regulatory sides, as well as practical considerations such as shortages in test reagents. For those wondering about getting a test, Dr. Kundrod explains the different types of tests currently available. She discusses some of the early roadblocks to setting up widespread testing and thoughts on how things could have potentially gone more smoothly. Finally, we explore newer technologies and how close we are to getting to tests that can be used at home in a format as simple as a pregnancy test. Emerging technologies discussed include methods such as isothermal amplification with RPA and LAMP.