POSTECH announced on the 10th that a research team led by Professor Lee Jung-Wook of the Department of Chemical Engineering has developed molecular diagnostic technology that can detect the Omicron variant in just 20-30 minutes.
It also detects the "Stealth Omicron," which is a bit difficult to be detected by a PCR test. According to Professor Lee, Omicron has a strong signal for N genes in PCR tests but has a weak signal for S genes. In the case of "Stealth Omicron," both N and S genes confirmed positive, making it difficult to distinguish from other variants. The molecular diagnostic technology works in different mechanisms from PCR, detecting the Omicron variant efficiently.
Unlike conventional technology that generally processes up to 96 samples per device, the new technology can process more than 125 in 30 minutes (more than 250 samples per hour). In addition, this technology does not need specialized equipment, thus can make diagnostic kits simply and easily.
As the method can develop the diagnosis kit in 4 days, it is expected to respond quickly even if a new variant or virus occurs in the future.
Note: This technology is currently before commercialization.
PS: For those who haven't heard about Stealth Omicron , it lacks the deletion that allows PCR tests to spot it. So there are two lineages within Omicron, BA.1 and BA.2, that are quite differentiated genetically,
It also detects the "Stealth Omicron," which is a bit difficult to be detected by a PCR test. According to Professor Lee, Omicron has a strong signal for N genes in PCR tests but has a weak signal for S genes. In the case of "Stealth Omicron," both N and S genes confirmed positive, making it difficult to distinguish from other variants. The molecular diagnostic technology works in different mechanisms from PCR, detecting the Omicron variant efficiently.
Unlike conventional technology that generally processes up to 96 samples per device, the new technology can process more than 125 in 30 minutes (more than 250 samples per hour). In addition, this technology does not need specialized equipment, thus can make diagnostic kits simply and easily.
As the method can develop the diagnosis kit in 4 days, it is expected to respond quickly even if a new variant or virus occurs in the future.
Note: This technology is currently before commercialization.
PS: For those who haven't heard about Stealth Omicron , it lacks the deletion that allows PCR tests to spot it. So there are two lineages within Omicron, BA.1 and BA.2, that are quite differentiated genetically,
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