Researchers develop saliva testing method for SARS-CoV-2 using robotic RNA extraction Researchers have developed an automated method of RNA extraction from saliva samples to allow faster processing times and high test sensitivity. Saliva testing could be used as an alternative to swab testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance. Overview of nucleic acid extraction from saliva specimens — a , Overview of Innovative Genomics Institute’s (IGI’s) specimen processing pipeline for both swab and saliva samples. OP = oropharyngeal. OP-MT = oropharyngeal-mid turbinate. b , Cultured SARS-CoV-2 (1.58x10 6 TCID50/ml) was mixed 1:1 with OMNIgene solution present in OM-505 collection tubes to test incubation conditions that inactivate viral replication. Samples were either held at room temperature (RT) or incubated at 65°C for the indicated length of time before being applied to Vero-E6 cells. Cytopathic effect (CPE) was quantified at 3 and 7 days post treatment (dpt). c , 3:2 dilution of saliva samples with DNA/RNA Shield improves detection of spiked-in SARS-CoV-2 RNA or MS2 in four saliva donors.