Currently, COVID-19 diagnostic tests need to be processed by an expert in a laboratory, and patients often have to wait at least a day for their results. The KRONO project aims to change that by delivering a simple test that can be used at a doctor’s office or a patient’s home (for example) and would deliver results in just 40 minutes.

The diagnostic kit is based on novel technology that can work with unprocessed samples of blood, saliva, or nose or throat swabs and can be operated by anyone with basic training in how to use the device. The software is based on algorithms trained on actual clinical data, and allows users to easily interpret the results.

While the team is focusing its efforts on the current COVID-19 outbreak, they also plan to ensure the system can be easily adapted to future outbreaks of new diseases in humans as well as animals.