Covid Efforts
In order to address the pandemic we faced, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência redirected its research activities and optimized its cutting-edge technological equipment to take part in the response to this new virus. IGC’s teams were mobilized to fight COVID-19 and there were several initiatives taking place at this level. The initiatives ranged from diagnostic and research to international and national cooperation with other research centers and public entities.
![](https://cdn.gulbenkian.pt/ciencia/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2021/02/encontro-ciencia-1600X1000.png)
SARS-CoV-2, the virus
The ability to follow and monitor the evolution of the virus, in real time, was one of the biggest competitive advantages to tackle the pandemic and the disease.
![](https://cdn.gulbenkian.pt/ciencia/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2021/02/Covid-1600x1000-1.jpg)
Vaccine effectiveness study
Monitoring the vaccine’s effectiveness and impact was crucial to know the immediate and long-term effects, as many questions remained unanswered in clinical trials.
![](https://cdn.gulbenkian.pt/ciencia/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2020/12/1600-x1000.jpeg)
Saliva as a diagnostic test
The use of saliva as the preferred sample in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, in all group ages, determined the development of a study at IGC in collaboration with Hospital Dona Estefânia and Hospital Amadora Sintra.