With the emergence of the mutant, researchers have developed a “PCR” test that can not only diagnose infection, but can also Identification of the selected mutant that causes that infection.
Researchers from the “Doctors and Tactical Healthcare Services” company and their collaborators at Rutgers University in the United States quickly allocated resources to develop an accurate and reliable corona test. They published their methodology used in the achievement in the journal Molecular Diagnostics, so that it can be replicated by any facility performing PCR tests.
To develop this test, the researchers used “molecular beacons”, a pioneering technology from Rutgers University, which are hairpin-shaped molecules that can be designed to selectively bind to a specific mutated sequence.
Nine mutants were selected for testing, each with different colored pigments, so that when the ‘molecular beacon’ binds to the target molecule, it can be detected by its characteristic colour.
The researchers tested each beacon individually, to confirm its specificity for the specific mutation, and then, the beacons were integrated into the “BCR” test on 26 virus-positive patient samples, which had previously been tested and identified by deep sequencing.
Two samples were identified as the “alpha” variable, two as the “epsilon” variable, and eight as the “delta” variable. The Molecular Beacon test was in complete agreement with the deep sequencing results, with a sensitivity of 100 percent.
“The test is also adaptable, as when the omicron appeared, they were able to design a beacon in less than a month to identify a mutation that is unique to omicron and important for immune evasion,” the researchers reported.
The researchers identified an “omicron variant” in 17 of 33 additional patient samples previously tested, and the results were 100% consistent.
“Tools developed to track and identify new variants will be useful for this epidemic, and for any unexpected viruses or pathogens, that may emerge in the future,” study co-author Ryan Decdan said in a report published on the Rutgers University website.
He added, “The pandemic is not over yet, and we urgently need a global surveillance system for emerging strains that can be more contagious or deadly, and identifying specific strains reveals important information, such as the length of the incubation period, the length of the infectious period, susceptibility to transmission, and disease symptoms.” , and even changes in prevalent symptoms.