UK's Salient Bio launches robotic COVID-19 testing platform –

UK diagnostics firm Salient Bio has launched a robotics-driven COVID-19 mass testing platform after spinning out from Imperial College.The company says the technology is the fastest of its kind and can give results that are 99% accurate.There are a range of approaches to mass testing – with one group even suggesting that a breath test could be used and is planning trials of the device known as Microtox BT.Rapid tests are already being trialled at certain airports as a way of ensuring passengers boarding planes are not infected and unwittingly spreading the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19.A mass testing programme is also being trialled in the UK city of Liverpool, which has been badly affected by the virus.London-based Salient was founded by former team members of Imperial College's London BioFoundry, which handled the spin-out and accelerates commercialisation of synthetic biology research and technology.With continuous testing vital for high human contact industries such as food preparation, factory work construction and education, Salient Bio says it allows COVID-secure environments at a quick cost effective rate.It's hoping to pick up clients in a range of sectors requiring regular human contact such as logistics, facilities management, education …