Diagnosing viral infection can be a challenge. Although there are sophisticated tests available, you need to know what you’re looking for; many tests can only detect one, or at best a few, infectious agents. Physician expertise, patient history and clinical symptoms can all provide crucial information, but reaching a diagnosis often still requires some guesswork. What if there was a simple way to check for every known human virus, in one sample? A test developed by researchers at the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII), Colombia University, New York, USA, might be able to do just that, by screening for all viruses that infect vertebrates, including genetic variants and mutations.

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About the Author

Roisin McGuigan

I have an extensive academic background in the life sciences, having studied forensic biology and human medical genetics in my time at Strathclyde and Glasgow Universities. My research, data presentation and bioinformatics skills plus my ‘wet lab’ experience have been a superb grounding for my role as an Associate Editor at Texere Publishing. The job allows me to utilize my hard-learned academic skills and experience in my current position within an exciting and contemporary publishing company.