UAE develops a Rapid Coronavirus laser testing technology
- Laser beam technology identifies the virus as soon as blood cells are infected
- Camera detects morphological change in blood cells
- Tests and instant results can be provided in public places
- Introducing this technology reinforces the UAE’s position as a center for research, innovation and technology
ABU DHABI, May 18, 2020 – QuantLase Imaging Lab, the medical-research arm of the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange-listed International Holdings Company (IHC), announced that it has developed novel equipment which enables for much faster mass screenings, with test results available in seconds and allowing testing on a wider scale.
The technology will reinforce the UAE’s position as a hub of research and innovation, as scientists around the world scramble to devise a faster method of testing for patients suspected to have been infected with the coronavirus and potentially identifying carriers before they become infectious. This break-through will enable ‘Mass-scale screening’, changing the whole dimension of tracing and the speed with which workforces can be approached.
“The equipment, which uses a CMOS detector, will enable mass-scale screening with results made available in seconds,” said Dr Pramod Kumar, who leads the team of researchers at the lab which has been studying the change in cell structure of the virus-infected blood.
“In fact, our laser-based DPI [Diffractive Phase Interferometry] technique, based on optical-phase modulation, is able to give a signature of infection within a few seconds. What’s more, it is user-friendly, non-invasive and low-cost. The device is suitable for use not only in hospitals and public places like cinemas and shopping malls, but with a ‘little hands-on training’ it can be used for in-house testing and monitoring. We believe it will be a game-changer in tackling the spread of the coronavirus.”
Explaining the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the diagnostic system, Dr Kumar said that an advanced AI image-analysis model predicts the outcome of each image with precision, speed and scale. This is especially critical in large-scale testing programs, where a massive number of images needs to be analysed with accuracy and efficiency. The lab is using G42, a leading AI and Cloud Computing company, to further enhance the laser program.
“With the first 1,000 tests, we refined our experiment and then applied it to the rest of the trials,” Dr Kumar said. “The process passed through several stages, and most recently was being trialled on a large scale, in line with current testing procedures.”
The lab hopes to be able to roll out the product in the market in a few months, Dr Kumar added. So far, the machine has produced results with high accuracy in optimal control setup, according to Dr Kumar. “As far as early stage detection is concerned, our DPI technique is capable to detect as soon as the blood cell gets infected. Our aim is to eventually reach the maximum level of accuracy.”
About International Holdings Company (IHC)
International Holdings Company PJSC, has evolved from one company primarily involved in the aquaculture industry into an investment holding company featuring various operating assets. Formerly known as International Fish Farming Holding Co PJSC, the company engages in the investment and development of food and feed supply business. It operates through the following segments: district cooling; contracting and real estate; digital; industrial; food; research and capital. The company, which is listed on the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX), was founded on November 23, 1998 and is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
About Group 42 (G42)
Group 42 is a UAE-based artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing company, uniquely positioned in the national ecosystem to develop and deploy holistic and scalable AI solutions. Aligned with Abu Dhabi’s economic vision and priorities, G42 focuses on many sectors, including public, healthcare, finance, aviation and leisure, smart cities and oil and gas. G42 offers industry solutions through an experienced, multidisciplinary and diverse team of data scientists and engineers based in Abu Dhabi. Through its subsidiary the Inception Institute of Artificial Intelligence (IIAI), G42 does fundamental AI research on AI, big data and machine learning. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in Abu Dhabi
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