The University of Zaragoza makes its laboratories and equipment available to health authorities for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19

The University of Zaragoza has made its equipment, research laboratories and specialized personnel available to the Ministry of Health of the Government of Aragon in order to unite resources in the face of the health crisis generated by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes infectious disease COVID-19.

 

In coordination with the Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón) and the Aragonese Institute of Health Sciences (IACS), the University of Zaragoza has prepared a global report on medical supplies, equipment, laboratories and specialized personnel made available to the Ministry of Health of Aragon.

 

Specifically, the University of Zaragoza has offered the collaboration of up to 90 experienced technicians and researchers available to provide diagnostic support, as well as some 14 research group laboratories capable of carrying out diagnostic tests using the RT-qPCR technique ( by quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) after Reverse Transcription (RT), which detects the presence of the virus genome in a person in the early stages of infection, even those who are asymptomatic.

 

“I would like to highlight the rapid and determined coordination that has existed between the staff of our institution and between entities, and the immediate availability of all the technical and research staff to collaborate to the extent of their possibilities in everything that has been requested, something for which I am deeply grateful,” stressed M. Blanca Ros, vice-rector for Scientific Policy at the University of Zaragoza.

 

In two tense and very active weeks, the efforts carried out by the Vice-Rector for Scientific Policy and the Vice-Rector for Research of the University of Zaragoza, in close collaboration with staff from the IIS Aragón and the IACS, have made it possible to make available to the health authorities material (up to 30 consumable varieties: various masks, glasses, gloves, leggings, disposable gowns, safety screens, swabs, etc.), equipment (centrifuges, biological safety cabinets, RT-qPCR equipment, etc.), specialized laboratories ( up to 18 biological safety laboratories between the 3 entities) and personnel (with experience in development and interpretation of RT-qPCR).

 

This information has been possible thanks to the “mobilization” of all the researchers and technical staff around the University of Zaragoza, including researchers from the ARAID Foundation of the Government of Aragon, the Aragon Agri-Food Research and Technology Center (CITA), of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and the University Defense Center (CUD), through calls channeled to the addresses of the different university research institutes, the main researchers of their research groups and directors of centers and its administrators.

 

In the management of all the information, the participation and experience of researchers and technicians from the Research Support Service (SAI) and other Unizar scientific-technical services has been essential, as well as their participation in the location, collection and delivery of material. specific to the most urgent specific demands of hospitals, such as tray lyophilizers, centrifuges or respirators.

 

Quick responses to urgent requests relating to material, equipment or assistance from university institution personnel are being managed and protocolised. For days now, UNIZAR researchers and specialist technicians have been collaborating with staff from Zaragoza hospitals in the assembly and management of equipment and analytical techniques; others are making their facilities, equipment and personal collaboration for the production of recombinant proteins available to companies in essential stages of the research and development of their COVID-19 detection tests; writing their proposals for participation in the call for urgent programs and projects against COVID-19 through the Carlos III Health Institute or the European Union, or collaborating in advising on filtration systems.

 

 “Without a doubt, this crisis has revealed the importance that we must give to scientific research as a basic pillar of our social well-being. But it is also our obligation as an institution to join forces and put our human and material resources at the disposal of the health authorities in this fight to stop the coronavirus pandemic,” highlighted Blanca Ros.

 

The disposition and commitment of the staff of the three university campuses of the University of Zaragoza, in a quiet but very committed way, is also being demonstrated by putting all the best they have, their will, initiative and enthusiasm into very different objectives; The University is supporting initiatives such as “coronavirusmakers” with 3D printers and transparent sheets in response to requests from hospitals.

 

“If this crisis is showing anything, it is that we are all important. We all have a lot to contribute in this unprecedented time, and the university Teaching and Research Staff (PDI) is aware of their double role and obligation, in particular, the importance of giving the best of ourselves and of our dedication to a student body, worried, and more than ever he needs the help, attention and experience of his teachers. #We all stop this virus…. and from home,” emphasizes the vice-rector for Scientific Policy of the University of Zaragoza.

 

On the other hand, the information related to the University of Zaragoza has been sent to the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE), which in turn has made it available to the Ministry of Science and Innovation with what was contributed with the Spanish universities. . These material and human resources of the University of Zaragoza are part of the more than 200 laboratories and 300 experts in COVID-19 detection tests that the CRUE has offered to the central Government.