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TED-Ed

How do you know if you have a virus? - Cella Wright

538,406 Views

10,012 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

A new virus emerges and spreads like wildfire. In order to contain it, researchers must first collect data about who’s been infected. Two main viral testing techniques are critical: one tells you if you have the virus and the other shows if you’ve already had it. So, how exactly do these tests work? Cella Wright explores the science of PCR tests and immunoassays.

Watch the video and finish the Think section to complete the lesson.


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Meet The Creators

Educator
Cella Wright
Director
Luísa Holanda
Narrator
Bethany Cutmore-Scott
Storyboard Artist
Luísa Holanda
Art Director
Luísa Holanda
Compositor
Gabriel Maia
Animator
Maurício Canterle, Murilo Jardim, Felipe Urbanetto
Music
Gabriel Maia
Sound Designer
Gabriel Maia
Hype Producer
Taíla Soliman
Hype Executive Producer
Gabriel Garcia
Director of Production
Gerta Xhelo
Editorial Producer
Alex Rosenthal
Producer
Bethany Cutmore-Scott
Associate Editorial Producer
Cella Wright
Fact-Checker
Joseph Isaac
Science Consultant
Dr. Jim Huggett, Dr. Daniel Stadlbauer
Special Thanks
Alejandra Guzman, The Genetics Society , Laurence Hurst

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