The structure of this unit has as a main purpose to provide the Presidency of the Nation and the authorities of the Argentine Ministry of Health all the capacities of technological projects development, human resources, infrastructure and equipment that might be needed to fulfill works of diagnosis and research on Coronavirus COVID-19. Consequently, the UNCuyo’s initiative is to call its community of researchers to contribute to the struggle against the virus.

The Unit of Coronavirus COVID-19 will propel different actions:

1) Development of different kits of rapid diagnosis for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 based on several technological platforms: the Ministry of Science and Technology, through the Agency I+D+I, will fund the development of projects developed by researchers of the system of science and technology, and by national companies on technological basis, which already have a grade of meaningful advance regarding the rapid detection of Coronavirus.  

2) To provide the authorities of the Ministry of Health the capacities of at least 12 centers of research of the scientific and technological system (including the CONICET, universities and decentralized organisms) regarding equipment, human resources, and available which can rapidly implement the diagnosis of infection by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

3) To promote current research that can contribute with knowledge to describe potential epidemiological scenes and analysis of data on such problem.

The budgetary support to projects in motion will be confirmed before March 31st. On the other hand, the reception of new proposals for the call will be open from April 1st to April 15th.

Those who are interested in participating in the fulfillment of contributions in these or other topics related with the COVID-19 must enroll by filling out this form: https://bit.ly/UNCUYOcovid19.You have time until March 25th to present these applications.

Based on the received responses, a video-conference will be coordinated from the UNCuyo for the presentation of possible contributions.  

More information: 

https://www.conicet.gov.ar/el-ministerio-de-ciencia-tecnologia-e-innovacion-conformo-la-unidad-coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/coronavirus-prioridad-en-ciencia-y-tecnologia-acciones-y-convocatorias-extraordinarias