To its credit, Gandhinagar-based Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre announced its path-breaking test to detect the super mutant strain within 10 hours. This makes Gujarat second in the country to have devised the novel test, the first instance being of ICMR in Guwahati. Early detection of the virus will simplify diagnosis and treatment.
The GBRC’s polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method capsules the time frame vis-a-vis the genome sequencing from 10 days to 10 hours. Joint Director, GBRC, Madhavi Joshi explained that making the study possible was a new technique to dissect the RNA cell from the PCR machine. “After the cell is broken down, C-DNA is made in the PCR kit. The oscillation mutation in a positive sample is then detected within 8 to 10 hours,” she added.
In recent testings, about 30 suspect samples were sent to the lab, all from airport testing centres. The GBRC studied the same in the regular genome sequencing way and also applied its novel kit to work. While the former yielded results only after 8 days, the new kit was quick to detect the strain within 10 hours. Three Omicron cases were from Jamnagar and one from Surat, she informed, adding also that of the six covid positive samples sent from Gandhinagar, none are an Omicron case.
