New PCR Test Detects Variant More Quickly Than Other Tests
The new virus variant Omicron could soon dominate and be responsible for a fifth wave. A new PCR test can detect this new variant more quickly and easily than any other test before.
The new virus variant Omicron could soon dominate and be responsible for a fifth wave. A new PCR test can detect this new variant more quickly and easily than any other test before.
English Translation
A small monitor with important data - Björn Rotter clicks his way through various curves:
These are the results of a PCR test for Corona / Covid-19.
The new development of the laboratory is a multi-talent and should make the fight against the virus easier.
Björn Rotter, CSO, GenXPro: “The test is special because it does three things at once: on the one hand, it determines whether SARS-CoV-2 is present, meaning whether you have been infected and on the other hand, it also determines at the same time which variant is present.”
Until now, laboratories had to do further tests after a PCR test for the virus in order to determine the variant - Alpha Delta or Omicron, all versions have different characteristics - the researchers make them visible.
At the moment, however, there is often a lack of capacity.
Björn: “It is currently the case that at least one additional PCR is required for this variant detection, and of course that eats up PCR capacities and takes a long time, and so it can then happen that the patients have to wait several days or even weeks for the results.”
For weeks, the laboratory tinkered with different liquids and of course tested a lot, experimented with nucleobases and enzymes and dead coronaviruses in order to continuously optimize the test. The product is now ready for delivery.
Björn: “What we deliver are the ingredients that are needed to carry out the test.”
“You can think of it as a baking mix, just with liquids, and a baking recipe for what is needed in the laboratory to carry out the test.”
At least two laboratories have already confirmed: The PCR test works flawlessly and is keeping its promise.
More and more laboratories are interested in the test from Frankfurt.
Omicron-specific PCR Test
Our Omicron-specific PCR test robustly targets distinct deletions in the genome of the the new Omicron Variant of Concern. It thereby efficiently singles out the omicron variant for determination.
The assay is available as single- or multiplex assay.
