Collaboration among scientists is the backbone of creativity and excellence in the laboratory. The battle against COVID-19 has been prioritized across the globe, and this has accelerated the manner in which all organizations in the scientific ecosystem have come together to ultimately represent the public.
Fremont, CA: As 2021 started, the global scientific community will have been grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic for almost a year. Few diagnostic laboratories were prepared for the difficulties that the SARS-CoV-2 virus would pose, but luckily these extraordinary conditions have led to enduring positive differences. Let us look at some changes made by COVID-19 that will continue to transform modern laboratories in 2021 and beyond.
Agility Problems
The pandemic has shown that it can matter every second. Even in situations where supply chain and labor shortages are becoming a problem, the labs need to work smoothly.
Laboratories require tools with a high level of reliability and sensitivity to detect disease, develop therapeutics as well as identify preventive measures that can be taken before a surge can begin. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are important to the lab as screening becomes common. The laboratories will aim to remain agile with the highest priority.
A Change toward surveillance
Required by COVID-19, the labs are heading towards molecular testing and surveillance – drilling down to disease at its most basic stage. Present surveillance efforts are aimed at detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus, monitoring mutational changes in the virus, allowing unbiased pathogen discovery, and assessing possible vulnerability and human response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Laboratories have recognized that they must be equipped with discovery and diagnostic instruments to deter or prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Although we hope that a pandemic of this nature will never happen again, effective monitoring will be based on allowing the world to be better prepared.
Collaboration
Collaboration among scientists is the backbone of creativity and excellence in the laboratory. The battle against COVID-19 has been prioritized across the globe, and this has accelerated the manner in which all organizations in the scientific ecosystem have come together to ultimately represent the public. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotech, laboratory instruments, and services are working together for a common goal. Collaboration has been unprecedented, and we can see that this strategy continues to move forward in many respects. Knowledge sharing would make it easier for everybody, anywhere, to have access to test kits and therapeutics.
