RT-PCR, LAMP "EMPOWER IAS"

In news:

• Indian Council of Medical Research has recently validated the LAMP technology for COVID-19 testing.

 

What is RT-LAMP?

• RT-LAMP stands for Reverse Transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification) technology.
• It is named LUME ScreennCoV.

 

How does it work?

• RT-LAMP technology is a one-step nucleic acid amplification method to multiply specific sequences of RNA of the coronavirus.
• The RNA is first made intocDNA(copy DNA) by the usual reverse transcription. Then, the DNA is amplified by the LAMP technique.

 

Current method

• The current method diagnosis is the real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test which detects the presence of viral nucleic acids in nasopharyngeal swab samples.
• But it has certain shortcomings.
• The test requires complex and costly equipment.It requires extensive training for potential users.

 

COVID-19 RT-LAMP test

• Details:
• It is a nucleic acid-based test carried out from a nasal/throat swab sample from patients.
• Nucleic acid is a complex organic substance present in living cells, especially DNA or RNA, whose molecules consist of many nucleotides linked in a long chain.
• The test recipe has been developed and successfully demonstrated using synthetic templates. 
• It has been tested with a small number of patients samples and validating the kit on more number of patient samples is planned and will be done together with RIL.

 

Advantages of the test 

•  
• It is rapid (45-60 min), cost-effective, and accurate test.
• RT-LAMP test can be done in a single tube with minimal expertise in a very basic lab setup like mobile units/kiosks for testing at Airports, Railway Stations, Bus Stands, and other public places. 
• The end detection of the test is a simple colored reaction, which is easily visible in UV light. It is also being modified such that it can be detected in regular light.  
• The components of the kit are easily available and these can be completely manufactured in India.  

 

Advantages over PCR tests

• •  
• On the other hand, the current COVID-19 testing is done by real-time PCR their components are mostly imported.
• Further, real-time PCR tests are expensive; they require highly trained manpower, costly instruments, and a relatively high-end lab and cannot be deployed at remote locations in quarantine centers, airports and railway stations, etc.