Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) in Gandhinagar has developed the Omicron variant detecting PCR kit. This is the first time where the scientists have developed the kit which will give the results in less than five to seven hours.
The Whole Genome Sequencing – the standard process of detecting the Omicron variant at present takes around six to seven days. In opposite to this, the newly developed technique involves cDNA preparation from RNA, isolated from the nasopharyngeal viral sample.
Developed by a team of seven researchers, the scientists at GBRC have named the new PCR kit as ‘Rapid Omicron Detection Kit’. GBRC has around 2,000 primers and are willing to share it with any laboratory for testing potential Omicron patients. It is comparatively more cost-effective, costing Rs 200-250 in against of Rs 2,500 costing of simultaneous genome sequencing of 300 samples. Also, the new PCR kit is also able to test even a single sample.
Based on conventional PCR machines – broadly available than RT-PCR machines can be used at remote places with non-availability of proper facilities and in the cases where the results are required in urgency.
