Thread by @NathanGrubaugh

Excited to announce our new study to develop and validate an inexpensive and sensitive saliva-based method for #SARS_CoV_2 testing in partnership with the @NBA.

Will be led by @awyllie13, @hmkyale, & myself from the @YaleSPH side.

usatoday.com/story/sports/n…

We'll be using our new #SalivaDirect protocol developed by @VogelsChantal + @DougBrackney. We'll have sensitivity data and a study design overview available on our website soon.

protocols.io/view/salivadir…

Our study has 2 aims:

On the lab side, we are preparing #SalivaDirect for FDA EUA, and are validating with many different vendor reagents to drive down costs and not add supply chain bottlenecks. We are not seeking to commercialize any aspect. Our goal is to get this to $1/test

In parallel, starting tomorrow, we will be collecting saliva samples from NBA players and staff that will be paired with nasal or oral swabs going to certified testing centers. This will allow us to compare the sensitivity of detecting asymptomatic cases with other methods.

So every other day, for at least 2 weeks, and perhaps longer when the @NBA returns to action in Orlando, saliva samples will be coming to our lab for testing. Pretty exciting!

If all goes well, the goal is to set up large testing campaigns in low income urban areas to give back to the community. This is why you partner with the @NBA on this - because they actually care!

Finally, would like to give a special thanks to @robbysikka of the T-wolves for making this happen. We really appreciate that you gave us the opportunity and for your support along the way. 🙏

P.S. For more information about #SalivaDirect, see our webpage built by @ChaneyKalinich. We'll post data and updates here.

covidtrackerct.com/about-salivadi…

PPS. Of course there is a downside of this study... the bad puns. @awyllie13