Microbiologics, St Cloud, Minn, is launching two new products for covid-19 quality control and research: a protein-coated RNA process control for research use only, and an in vitro diagnostics control with pooled gene targets.
The SARS-CoV-2 RNA process control, for research use only, features diagnostically relevant RNA sequences protected by a phage protein coating that provides nuclease resistance even in nuclease-rich environments such as nasal secretions or plasma. The phage protein coating protects RNA during the extraction process, preventing the false negatives that can occur with the use of naked RNA. The coating functions like the virus’s protective envelope that sequesters and protects its RNA genome.
“The accuracy of diagnostic data continues to hamper the global response to covid-19,” says Cynthia Forsman, PhD, the Microbiologics molecular research and development scientist who led the product development project. “The availability of a full SARS-CoV-2 process control which closely mimics a true patient sample, while remaining noninfectious itself, is a critical step forward in the development and validation of covid-19 assays.”
Microbiologics is also adding a new SARS-CoV-2 in vitro diagnostic control to its Helix Elite line of molecular standards. The new SARS-CoV-2 Helix Elite control features a pool of large RNA molecules that match the viral sequences for the RdRp gene, which codes for the enzyme RNA-dependent RNA polymerase; the S gene, which codes for the spike glycoproteins found in the viral envelope; the E gene, which codes for the envelope that surrounds the viral shell; and the N gene, which codes for the nucleocapsid phosphoprotein found in the shell of the virus.
For more information, visit Microbiologics.
