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Researchers at the Salk Institute in California, working with outside collaborators, have developed a COVID-19 test that can quickly identify and sequence the causative virus, helping to track new variants. The test, called “isothermal rapid viral amplification nanopore sequencing for near real-time analysis” (NIRVANA), can also simultaneously test other viruses, such as influenza, that can cause similar symptoms.
As SARS-CoV-2 continues to mutate, health authorities are increasingly concerned that the new variants are more dangerous, more transmissible, and more difficult to treat or vaccinate. Currently, a PCR test is required to spot SARS-CoV-2, and then additional genetic sequencing is required to identify the viral variant, which requires large and expensive laboratory equipment. This new technology aims to combine these results into a single, small and portable test.
“This is a method of detecting and monitoring viruses that does not require expensive infrastructure like other approaches,” Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, a researcher involved in the study, said via a press release. by Salk. “We can accomplish with a portable test the same as others by using two or three different tests, with different machines.”
The approach is called isothermal recombinase polymerase (RPA) amplification. It uses proteins to separate and copy DNA strands in as little as 20 minutes, which is different from PCR, which requires a temperature cycle to achieve the same. The technology also involves a technique called real-time nanopore sequencing, and it allows researchers to sequence regions of the virus that are prone to mutation, helping them track variants. Additionally, the test can evaluate samples for other viruses, such as influenza.
“We quickly realized that we could use this technique to not only detect SARS-CoV-2, but other viruses at the same time,” said Mo Li, another researcher involved in the study. “We can easily adapt it to fight another pathogen, even something new and emerging.”
A small portable field test incorporates the technology and can analyze 96 samples at a time. This could be useful for quick screening at airports or schools. “The pandemic has provided two important lessons: first, test widely and quickly, and second, know your variants. Our NIRVANA method provides a promising solution to these two challenges not only for the current pandemic, but also for possible futures, ”added Izpisua Belmonte.
Study in a newspaper With: Simultaneous detection and surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 mutations and co-infections of several respiratory viruses by rapid sequencing deployable in the field
Via: Salk Institute
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