Experts from NSW Health Pathology’s state-of-the-art biosecurity P4 laboratory have successfully grown the live novel coronavirus from NSW patients.
The team of 10 scientists and pathologists achieved this by undertaking genome sequencing of the virus and growing the live virus from real patients, instead of using synthetic materials.
This cutting-edge work will provide faster and more reliable diagnostic testing for infected patients across the world.
There are only a small number of specialist institutes around the world with the expertise, technology and facilities to safely handle and grow these highly infectious and deadly pathogens.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said early and accurate diagnosis of infectious and deadly viruses is critical because undiagnosed patients can unknowingly transmit it to others.
“But unless clinicians understand the epidemiology of the disease – how it behaves and replicates – they can’t develop reliable diagnostic testing to identify and contain it,” Mr Hazzard said.
Find out the latest information and advice on novel coronavirus in NSW
