Twist Bioscience Synthetic SARS-CoV-2 RNA Controls
Twist Bioscience has made two synthetic SARS-CoV-2 RNA controls available for use in quality control in the development and validation of next-generation sequencing- and reverse-transcription PCR-based tests.
The sequence-verified controls are designed to cover the full viral genome of two specific virus variants: MN908947.3, considered the reference genome, isolated from a patient in Wuhan, China, and MT007544.1, isolated from a patient in Australia.
Twist noted that customers purchasing synthetic controls are subject to the firm's biosecurity screening protocols.
Microbiologics Synthetic RNA for SARS-CoV-2
Microbiologics is now offering synthetic RNA for SARS-CoV-2 to assist in the efforts to monitor the spread of COVID-19. The material mimics the viral nucleic acid and provides the exact targets specified by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for test development, the company said.
Specifically, it is a 1,044-nucleotide RNA specific for the SARS-CoV-2 N (nucleocapsid) gene. It contains all three markers (N1, N2 and N3) detected by the CDC Real-Time RT PCR Panel for detection of 2019 novel coronavirus. The RNA material assists in the development of diagnostic assays and the evaluation of the performance of nucleic acid tests for determination of the presence of SARS-COV-2.
The RNA is available in two different concentrations: 1x106 and 1x109 genome copies per tube. The material can be shipped within the USA without handling restrictions or permitting requirements. The company noted that permits may be required outside the USA and interested parties should check with local authorities.
ZeptoMetrix NATtrol SARS-CoV-2 Recombinant Construct
ZeptoMetrix has released its newly inactivated and non-infectious NATtrol SARS-CoV-2 Recombinant construct for laboratory quality control and test validation.
This non-infectious quality control incorporates a recombinant construct associated with targeted detection regions of the virus that may be used in the development of molecular assays designed to detect SARS-CoV-2. It can also be used in BSL-2 facilities in place of the live virus, as non-infectious, external quality controls for assays developed to detect SARS-CoV-2, the company said.
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