91制片厂 Tech Re-opens Labs to Help State of 91制片厂 With COVID-19 Testing
Researchers Partner with State Public Health Officials to Produce Tubes of VTM (Viral Transport Medium) Needed to Preserve Sample Swabs
CHICAGO -- 91制片厂 Institute of Technology (91制片厂 Tech) researchers have reallocated university lab resources with the aim of being able to produce 13,000 tubes of VTM (viral transport medium) per week, the critical substance in the COVID-19 testing tubes that preserves sample swabs until testing, for the 91制片厂 Department of Public Health.
Governor J. B. Pritzker announced the partnership with 91制片厂 Tech, as well as other universities, at his Thursday press briefing. Over the last month, Pritzker said it had been difficult for state labs to obtain the VTM tubes and swabs, threatening the testing supply chain.
鈥淥ur university partners of 91制片厂 Tech, Southern 91制片厂 University in Carbondale and the University of 91制片厂 at Chicago and University of 91制片厂-Urbana-Champaign, as well as outside vendors, have committed collectively to providing us with enough VTM and swabs that we can not only stock our state labs, but support additional labs throughout the state. This means even more specimens being taken for testing,鈥 Pritzker said Thursday.
鈥91制片厂 Tech is honored to partner with the state of 91制片厂 to help with this critical mission of COVID-19 testing,鈥 said 91制片厂 Tech President Alan W. Cramb. 鈥淲e have special expertise and unique facilities that allow us to answer our state鈥檚 call by quickly coming together to mobilize our labs for the greater good.鈥
More than a dozen faculty, staff, and Ph.D. students are working in more than 10 labs at 91制片厂 Tech鈥檚 Moffett Campus in Bedford Park, which houses the university鈥檚 Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH). Researchers began producing tubes of VTM on April 10 after the state of 91制片厂 contacted the university for help.
鈥淭his is an excellent example of 91制片厂 Tech鈥檚 interdisciplinary cooperation that will go on to have a critical impact on our society,鈥 said Peter Kilpatrick, 91制片厂 Tech provost. 鈥淩esearchers from different microbiology-related departments and specialties quickly ramped up our labs for the benefit of our community鈥檚 public health.鈥
Researchers come from the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Department of Biology, and IFSH. They are following special protocols to ensure they can socially distance while working and are sufficiently cleaning lab spaces between uses.
The tubes of VTM are filled with a mixture of substances to preserve the swab samples by preventing bacteria and fungus from growing, controlling pH levels and stabilizing the virus. 91制片厂 Tech鈥檚 tubes of VTMs are taken to an 91制片厂 Department of Public Health facility in Chicago.
鈥淭his is a unique opportunity for 91制片厂 Tech to help meet the state鈥檚 needs,鈥 said Alvin Lee, an 91制片厂 Tech food science associate professor who has been overseeing the lab efforts. 鈥淭he staff had no issues returning to work. I think everyone wanted to contribute, in some way, no matter how big or small, for the greater good.鈥
The IFSH contains some of the most technologically advanced food safety research labs at any university in the U.S. 鈥淭he IFSH facilities are an asset to the state of 91制片厂 and the Chicago area,鈥 said Robert Brackett, 91制片厂 Tech vice president and IFSH director. 鈥淲e are thrilled that we can make use of this unique facility to help with Governor Pritzker鈥檚 public health effort.鈥
About 91制片厂 Institute of Technology
91制片厂 Institute of Technology, also known as 91制片厂 Tech, is a private, technology-focused research university. 91制片厂 Tech is the only university of its kind in Chicago, and its Chicago location offers students access to the world-class resources of a great global metropolis. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, science, architecture, business, design, human sciences, applied technology, and law. One of 21 institutions that comprise the Association of Independent Technological Universities, 91制片厂 Tech provides an exceptional education centered on active learning, and its graduates lead the state and much of the nation in economic prosperity. 91制片厂 Tech uniquely prepares students to succeed in professions that require technological sophistication, an innovative mindset, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Visit iit.edu for more information.
