Featured Research - New Method of Detecting SARS-CoV-2

Featured Research - New Method of Detecting SARS-CoV-2

Interested in licensing a new method of detecting SARS-CoV-2 that eliminates the need for an RNA extraction step and a BSL-2 testing facility?

The National Eye Institute (NEI) has developed a novel improved sample preparation method that eliminates the need for an RNA extraction step from the currently used method of detecting SARS-CoV-2. NEI inventors discovered that incorporating a chelating agent into the reverse transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) heating step ties up the magnesium and calcium ions needed for RNase activity – thereby increasing the amount of RNA produced for analysis. This new method also removes the potential inhibitors of RT-qPCR and inactivates SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, which improves workflow safety and eliminates the need for a BSL-2 testing facility.

This new method has many competitive advantages including:

  • Improved workflow safety
  • Removes potential inhibitors of RT-qPCR
  • Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 infectivity
  • Increased RNA production for analysis
  • Eliminates the need for an RNA extraction step

This technology has many commercial applications including improved COVID-19 diagnostic testing, improved DNA or RNA-based diagnostic testing for additional infectious diseases, safer preparation of patient samples, and reagent kits for biomarker profiles and inherited diseases.

Inventors at the NEI seek research and co-development partners and/or licensees to:

  • Advance the production and uses of the new RNA preparation method,
  • Manufacture reagent kits for testing in patients with suspected COVID-19 and other DNA/RNA viruses, and
  • Manufacture reagent kits for patient biomarker profiles and inherited disease diagnostics.

For more information or to reach out to the licensing contact, please visit here.