New coronavirus test called Colorimetric RT-LAMP assay (Cap-iLAMP) has been developed, reveals a new study.
Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is the most widely used diagnostic method to detect RNA viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. However, it requires expensive laboratory equipment and global shortages of reagents for RNA purification has increased the need to find simple but reliable alternatives.
One alternative to the qPCR technology is RT-LAMP (reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification). This test amplifies the desired target sequences of the virus at a constant temperature, using minimal equipment compared to qPCR.
‘Colorimetric RT-LAMP assay (Cap-iLAMP) helps reduce false positives and single infected samples can be detected, thus reducing the technical cost per test to only about 1 Euro per individual.