Adaptive Biotechnologies recently launched a new COVID-19 test that searches for T-cell responses against the virus, providing a more accurate way to detect prior infections.
The technology, which leverages Microsoft’s machine learning capabilities, extracts and sequences DNA from T-cells present in a person’s blood to determine whether the collection is consistent with a past coronavirus infection. This could prove especially helpful for people who believe they’ve been infected but haven’t tested positive with current available analyses, including COVID-19 long-haulers. Eventually, Adaptive hopes to be able to use the test to predict a person’s vulnerability to COVID-19, unlocking more doors for disease prevention and mitigation.