A new sample preparation strategy to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 that bypasses the want to extract genetic RNA material of the virus has been created by US National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists. This strategy could potentially cut down time and price for Covid-19 tests.
The strategy was created following a collaboration among researchers at the NIH Clinical Center, US National Eye Institute (NEI), and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).
The common tests for Covid-19 that are obtainable at present amplify the viral RNA to detectable levels making use of RT-qPCR. However, the RNA will have to initial be extracted from the sample for the test. RNA extraction kits makers have located it complicated to maintain up with demand for the gear for the duration of peak periods of the pandemic.
The US researchers made use of an agent named ‘Chelex 100 resin made by Bio-Rad, a lab supply company, to preserve the RNA samples of SARS-CoV-2 in samples for RT-qPCR detection.
The team used nasopharyngeal and saliva samples that had various concentrations of virion to see if they could be used to detect RNA directly, the study’s lead author Bin Guan, of US the National Eye Institute, was quoted as saying by NIH.
The outcome was positive and showed markedly higher sensitivity. The preparation also inactivated the virus and made it safer for personnel in the lab. The findings of the NIH investigation have been published in iScience.
The group tested quite a few chemical compounds and made use of each human and synthetic samples to attain their conclusion. The scientists identified the chemical compounds that could preserve with minimal degradation the RNA in test samples though also permitting direct virus detection by RT-qPCR.
They collected patient samples, stored them in each the viral transport media and the new chelating-resin-buffer at the Symptomatic Testing Facility of the NIH to validate the test.
The viral transport media samples have been tested by NIH’s Clinical Center Covid-19 testing group making use of standard approaches of RNA extraction and RT-qPCR testing. The chelating-resin-buffer samples have been initial heated prior to testing the viral RNA by RT-qPCR. The tests showed that the new preparation elevated considerably the RNA yield for testing.