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.
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.
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.
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.