Scientists who use molecular biology to answer questions as diverse as how cells divide, organs and whole organisms are formed, how the immune or the nervous systems work, or species evolve, are highly trained in techniques now crucial to diagnose SARS-CoV-2.

These researchers constitute a qualified resource available to join diagnostic lab teams that perform SARS-CoV-2 tests in several hospitals. Before integrating their teams, researchers receive training so that they can adapt to the workflows and equipment of hospital labs, reinforcing the SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic capacity at a time of growing demand.

Additionally, 6th year students of the Master Degree in Medicine at NOVA Medical School, after the suspension of the classroom teaching activities, collaborated with the Hospitals CUF Sintra and Garcia de Orta. These students provided volunteer administrative support to the medical teams dedicated to report cases of COVID-19 in the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (SINAVE).