PerkinElmer is intending to accelerate the detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants with research use only (RUO) launch of the NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2.
The next generation sequencing solution will allow laboratories to increase sequencing throughput and make reliable variant identifications.
Using positive SARS-CoV-2 samples, the NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2 detects mutations associated with all SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the newer Omicron variant. This kit is aimed to offer substantial benefits to laboratories in terms of speed, scalability, and cost savings by incorporating newly developed NEXTFLEX normalization beads, which reduces turnaround time by three hours on average for 96 samples.
“The emergence of the Omicron variant has reaffirmed the important role that SARS-CoV-2 surveillance will play in ending the COVID-19 pandemic,” says James Atwood, general manager of Applied Genomics, PerkinElmer. “The NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2 workflow was specifically designed to meet the needs of the surveillance community by increasing speed from sample to result, increasing throughput and reducing workflow complexity.”
Additionally, the NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2 uses 1,536 Unique Dual Index (UDI) barcodes to enable the sequencing of 6,000 SARS-CoV-2 libraries in one flow cell. This provides high throughput and minimizes per sample costs associated with sequencing.
PerkinElmer also offers the PKamp VariantDetect SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay for the simultaneous qualitative detection and differentiation of several known SARS-CoV-2 mutations, including Omicron. Similarly, this assay allows labs to perform second-tier mutation typing from positive SARS-CoV-2 samples. It is compatible with all commonly available RT-PCR instruments and delivers results within two hours.
To learn more about PerkinElmer’s complete SARS-CoV-2 testing portfolio, click here.
Featured Image: The NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2. Photo: PerkinElmer
