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An illustration of the coronavirus as a red ball with protruding spikes. Gold spheres have attached themselves to the spikes.

Gold joins the fight against COVID-19

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Access and innovation

Gold nanoparticles played a key part in developing the rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that emerged as a vital weapon in the detection of COVID-19 and its spread around the world. To achieve results, a nasal or saliva swab is combined with a gold nanoparticle-infused liquid. If the liquid changes from the colour purple to blue, it means the person has tested positive for the virus.

Discover more at Science Direct, Frontiers in Microbiology, Nature.com, and the National Library of Medicine.