Universities Roll out Resources for COVID-19 Fight

Academic staff are making all efforts to defeat the virus.

Far Eastern Federal University School of Biomedicine DNA Test Lab has been pro-active in tracking coronavirus infection. Every day, it runs more than 100 COVID-19 tests using state-of-the-art equipment. The lab’s robotic centre analysis DNA viruses and patients’ genomes.

Transfusion of plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients is a new method to fight the epidemic, to be used by Sechenov University. This treatment has been recommended for serious cases. Sechenov University Blood Centre has already begun to store donor plasma.

National Research Nuclear University MEPhI scientists designed unique life-support equipment for coronavirus patients. It generates nitrogen monoxide to unblock small blood vessels and relieve pneumonia. They also plan to use the equipment in treating cardiac patients.

National University of Science and Technology MISIS Physical Chemistry Department researchers developed a copper nano-particle-based disinfectant for individual protective gear and surfaces.

National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University specialists improved the design of face shields, goggles and masks taking into account doctors’ recommendations. Protective gear is made of soft plastic with 3D printers to enable tighter contact with the skin without discomfort during long hours of use.

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Competences Centre, FabLab and Youth Innovative Technologies Centre jointly produced and supplied 320 shields and 80 reusable face masks for doctors who treated COVID-19 patients. Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal UniversityModern Competences Development Centre engineers produced 16 adapters for mechanical lung ventilation units and passed them to a hospital.