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Today’s heroes: SIUC’s School of Biological Sciences

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Illinois

A team at Southern Illinois University Carbondale this week delivered its first round of a key substance needed for COVID-19 tests to health authorities in Springfield. SIU was the first university in the state to do so.

Andrew Wood, director of the School of Biological Sciences, on Tuesday hand-delivered the first 10,000 vials of Viral Transport Medium formulated at SIU to the Illinois Department of Public Health. SIU researchers, along with several other state universities, are working on making up the shortfall of the substance.

Gary Kinsel, vice chancellor for research at SIU, said he is proud of how well faculty are performing in meeting the ongoing challenges presented by the health emergency.

“It’s a source of great pride that our faculty have stepped up to provide such an important contribution to the state of Illinois during this pandemic,” Kinsel said. “I know that their efforts expand the state testing capacity and ultimately save lives.”

Viral Transport Medium (VTM) is a pH-buffered fluid with a specific formulation of salts, protein and other chemicals that maintains the genetic information of a virus until it can be tested. Faculty have been working around the clock organizing the effort to make the substance, which is in short supply because of the ongoing health emergency and large need for testing.

The batch was manufactured by a team of microbiologists and several students last week at SIU.

Scott Hamilton-Brehm, professor of microbiology and a leader of the effort, said the SIU team intends to keep the pace of 10,000 vials per week

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:02 pm

Comments

Go Salukis!

Comment by DOC counselor Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:16 pm
Great job by SIU stepping up to help during the Coronavirus War (banned punct.). C’mon other colleges and universities…show your stuff.

Comment by revvedup Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:17 pm
And, once again, this is another benefit of funding in-state universities, even if you don’t have any kids to send.

Comment by Jibba Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:24 pm
More of this, please.

Comment by Anyone Remember Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:26 pm
Good going Salukis.

Comment by PublicServant Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:37 pm
Good on my Dawgs!

Comment by The Bashful Raconteur Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:46 pm
SIU Carbondale is essential, folks.

Comment by Ray del Camino Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:02 pm
Jibba is spot on

Comment by Interim Retiree Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:13 pm
Great job SIU!

Way to go faculty and students.

Q: What did you do during the COVID outbreak?
A: I helped a team of university microbiologist develop and manufacture testing medium so the state could maintain and increase its ability to test people.

This is SIU.

Comment by John Patterson Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:13 pm
A shout out of thanks to SIU team of microbiologists and several students at SIU.

Comment by Mama Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:16 pm
SIU is as critical an institution as any public university Illinois has, its these stories that remind us that higher education in Illinois leads, and we as a state need to ensure our universities continue to be ones that give quality educations… and give back to society.

Go Salukis

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:16 pm
Great job SIU. Our tax dollars at work and money well spent.

Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:24 pm
Well done Salukis!

Thank you

Comment by Etown Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 4:07 pm