Name: Rutgers Scientist Who Invented COVID Spit Test Dies At 51
Brand: patch.com
SKU: patch-com-99
Availability: OnlineOnly

critic

Rutgers Scientist Who Invented COVID Spit Test Dies At 51

preview

48Posted Tue, Jan 26, 2021 at 12:57 pm ETUpdated Wed, Jan 27, 2021 at 10:16 am ETReplies (48)Dr. Andrew Brooks seen here in his lab in Piscataway. (Provided by Rutgers University)The coronavirus spit test in action at a test site in North Bergen: You stay in your car and spit into a test tube. (Carly Baldwin/Patch)NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — The man who helped invent , developed in a Piscataway lab affiliated with Rutgers University, has unexpectedly passed away.The death of Andrew Brooks, 51, was announced by Gov. Phil Murphy in his coronavirus press conference on Monday. Rutgers said his death and that he died on Saturday.In partnership with FTD®"With a heavy heart, I want to acknowledge the tragic passing over the weekend of one of our state's unsung heroes, Dr. Andrew Brooks," said Gov. Murphy in a somber tone. "Born and raised in New Jersey, Dr. Brooks was a Rutgers University research professor in the department of genetics, and for the past decade he served as director of RUCDR Infinite Biologics. "Now, you may remember that name. Why? Because last year, in the frenetic early days of the pandemic, he led the development of the so-called ."That Rutgers spit test helped revolutionize COVID testing, and is now being used at testing sites across New Jersey. Because of Brooks' work, it became no longer necessary for testers to put a swab high into one's nasal cavity, an invasive and often painful experience. Instead, you could simply spit into a test tube and the saliva was then tested in a lab for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. At the time, New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli Brooks' test was "a game changer."Brooks and his team developed the test in a lab at Rutgers' RUCDR Infinite Biologics, part of Rutgers' Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey. Their test was also unique in that results could be obtained within three days. At the time, it took up to 10 days to get coronavirus test results. (As testing technology progressed, results can now be obtained with 24 hours for the saliva test, and within minutes with rapid nasal cavity testing.) Their work was based on a Nobel Prize-winning laboratory technique that used the virus' nucleic acid, in this case RNA.In partnership with FTD®After Brooks' test showed positive results, it received FDA emergency-use authorization in late March. That same weekend Brooks and his team got an overnight call from the Trump White House, asking how quickly the test could go nationwide. A month later, the spit test was the first of any test approved for home use. "Since March, more than two million of these clinical tests have been performed, undoubtedly saving many lives and providing a practical tool for pandemic control," said Rutgers Chancellor Christopher Molloy in a statement. "The Rutgers University community is deeply saddened by the unexpected loss." The Rutgers COVID spit test was first given to doctors and nurses at RWJ Barnabas Health and was then piloted on the general public at the Edison Motor Vehicle drive-through testing site. From there, it was picked up by the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Community Health Centers, and used in locations including Asbury Park, Freehold, Keyport and Red Bank and other state-run testing sites across New Jersey. "They've worked quite well," Christopher Rinn, CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, said in May. "Very easy to administer, great turnaround time, and effective in the sense they will increase access to testing. Saliva tests are less intrusive than the deep nasal swab, and are safer for healthcare workers administering the procedure. They require less personal protective equipment.""When I realized I didn't have to have the swab jammed into my brain, I figured I'd give it a try," Edison resident Katrina Duggan, 41, told Patch in the same article, of why she preferred the spit test when she thought she had the virus. "We at Rutgers offer our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Brooks’ family and we take pride in his achievements, which have contributed significantly to the effort to overcome this global pandemic," said Molloy. "His test has undoubtedly saved lives, " agreed Murphy on Monday. Brooks authored more than 70 scientific papers and served as an advisor to the Food &amp; Drug Administration. "He leaves behind a tremendous legacy at RUDCR, which over the summer he helped take private and is now known as Infinity Biologics LLC, with more than 550 employees," said the governor. "We cannot thank Andy enough for all he did. He was only 51 years old."Brooks is survived by his wife and three daughters, as well as his mother and sister. Be the first to know what's happening in your town and area. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss a minute of local and state news: Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Replies (48)Show previous 12 replies

48Posted Tue, Jan 26, 2021 at 12:57 pm ETUpdated Wed, Jan 27, 2021 at 10:16 am ETReplies (48)Dr. Andrew Brooks seen here in his lab in Piscataway. (Provided by Rutgers University)The coronavirus spit test in action at a test site in North Bergen: You stay in your car and spit into a test tube. (Carly Baldwin/Patch)NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — The man who helped invent , developed in a Piscataway lab affiliated with Rutgers University, has unexpectedly passed away.The death of Andrew Brooks, 51, was announced by Gov. Phil Murphy in his coronavirus press conference on Monday. Rutgers said his death...

public

First of all, thank you for reading Patch. Patch is America's #1 network of hyperlocal news sites.  I cover Central Jersey (Middlesex and Monmouth counties) for Patch, specifically the towns of Middletown, Matawan-Aberdeen, Woodbridge and Rutgers University. I also cover Secaucus.  I have my graduate degree in journalism from Columbia University and in the past I've worked for The Jersey Journal and NJ.com, where my best pieces were published in the Newark Star Ledger.  Like so many of my fellow Patch reporters, I am truly passionate about local news. I think we are fortunate to live in America and I want to provide Americans with the truth about what is happening in their towns, in their children's schools, in their state and in their country. Not all countries in the world allow a free media, and I very much believe in the value of a strong, independent news business. I am truly honored to do my life's work as a reporter.  Complaints? Praise? Anonymous tips? You can always email me at carly.baldwin@patch.com.

Carly Baldwin

Local news, alerts, events and more. We’re your source for all things Harlem. Send tips to: harlem@patch.com.

Rutgers Scientist Who Invented COVID Spit Test Dies At 51

No article scores yet.

CRITIC REVIEWS

PUBLIC REVIEWS