This time the specialist equipement, two sets of Thermal Cycler Light Cycler 480 II, two BSL-2 Laminar flow cabinets, together with accessories, were provided to the VII Navy Hospital at Polanki street in Gdańsk. The hospital is a part of the national single-purpose infectious disease hospitals network. Later this week University of Gdańsk will additionally provide two semi-automated DNA isolation devices for coronavirus.

The equipment will allow to set up full COVID-19 dedicated specialist molecular diagnostic laboratory at the hospital site, multiplying the number of tests and allowing quicker diagnosis for patients from Pomorskie Region.

Thermal Cycler Light Cycler 480 II is a cutting-edge apparatus for marking genetic material of the virus using RT-PCR technology, allows for tracking DNA multiplication in real time. The University of Gdańsk previously provided the same apparatus to the Gdańsk Voivodship Unit of the State Sanitary Inspection.

Up until this point Thermal Cyclers Light Cycler 480 II, together with other equipment served research and education purposes for Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk and Faculty of Biology. The equipment was provided by the faculties pursuant to the agreement signed by Rector of the University of Gdańsk, professor Jerzy Piotr Gwizdała, on behalf of the university.

Professor Joanna Jakóbkiewicz-Banecka from the Faculty of Biology coordinated the project, Deputy Dean for Promotion and Development, dr Łukasz Rąbalski from the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology participated in providing the equipment and necessary staff training. Project is managed by professor Krzysztof Bielawski, Vice-Rector for Development and Cooperation with Business.

Picture caption:

Photo from UG Archives. Picture shows Izabela Szczygielska, Laboratory Diagnostician and Quality Management System Specialist – one of the organizers of the coronavirus diagnostics laboratory  at the VII Navy Hospital in Gdańsk and two Thermal Cyclers Light Cycler 480 II apparatuses for marking genetic material of the coronavirus using PCR technology in real time.