A DNA intercalating dye-based RT-qPCR alternative to diagnose SARS-CoV-2


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Date

2021

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

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Abstract

Early detection of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been proven crucial during the efforts to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several diagnostic methods have emerged in the past few months, each with different shortcomings and limitations. The current gold standard, RT-qPCR using fluorescent probes, relies on demanding equipment requirements plus the high costs of the probes and specific reaction mixes. To broaden the possibilities of reagents and thermocyclers that could be allocated towards this task, we have optimized an alternative strategy for RT-qPCR diagnosis. This is based on a widely used DNA-intercalating dye and can be implemented with several different qPCR reagents and instruments. Remarkably, the proposed qPCR method performs similarly to the broadly used TaqMan-based detection, in terms of specificity and sensitivity, thus representing a reliable tool. We think that, through enabling the use of vast range of thermocycler models and laboratory facilities for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, the alternative proposed here can increase dramatically the testing capability, especially in countries with limited access to costly technology and reagents. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Journal / series

Volume

18 (12)

Pages / Article No.

2218 - 2225

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Event

Edition / version

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Software

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Date collected

Date created

Subject

SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; RT-qPCR; TaqMan; SYBR Green; RdRP; RNA; diagnosis

Organisational unit

03699 - Stelling, Jörg / Stelling, Jörg check_circle

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