Viral Extraction Reagent

Reverse transcription – qPCR (RT-qPCR) is the most sensitive test for SARS-CoV-2 infection and, typically, sample processing involves RNA isolation. This step adds substantially to costs, time and laboriousness of the entire testing process. Consumables such as spin columns or magnetic beads become at times limiting as their production lags behind request. The purpose of RNA isolation is to make the viral genome accessible for detection and concentrate it, as well as to eliminate substances potentially present in the sample that may inhibit the assay. However, release of viral RNA does not require thorough purification and RT-qPCR assays can be quite robust towards substances present in swab samples. baseclick has developed the Viral Extraction Reagent for rapid release of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from viral particles and infected cells in swab samples. When combined with Mikrogen’s ampliCube Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR assay (Mikrogen product No. 50143/50144), the Viral Extraction Reagent enables robust SARS-CoV-2 detection in swab samples without RNA isolation, while achieving sensitivity comparable to procedures that do involve RNA isolation.