Ask HN: How to build COVID-19 test kit?

[byebyetech]

I am curious if there are any biotech experts here who can answer this. Can we open source methods to build COVID-19 test kits? What raw material, tools are needed to pull it off. Given the current testing disaster going on in the US. Would it be possible to go decentralized?

[jrowley]

I imagine it would be challenging to get the necessary samples to accurately calibrate the test/ensure efficacy?

[ninetax]

How would you test it?

[byoung2]

Your bottleneck would not be the building of the test (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/brands/thermo-scient...), but the FDA approval. The CDC was able to get emergency use authorization from the FDA in 1 day for its test, but you are not the CDC.

[byebyetech]

Why would I need FDA approval if I want to use test for myself or friends? Bio hackers do all kinds of experiments with CRISPR technology.

[byoung2]

Ah, I thought you were trying to solve the broader bottleneck of testing which would require approval. But as a hobby just for fun, I suppose you could do anything you want...not sure how useful it would be (would you trust your result? Would health agencies take your result as evidence?)