Omicron variations can now be detected using molecular diagnostics techniques created by Korean researchers. The technology is currently being developed, and commercialisation is expected to take time.
On the 10th, POSTECH revealed that a research team led by Professor Lee Jung-wook of the Department of Chemical Engineering has created molecular diagnostic technology that can detect the Omicron variation in as little as 20-30 minutes and will publish the results online.
The COVID-19 virus uses a spike to infect cells, and Omicron is a variation with 26-32 mutations in the spike.
According to the researchers, molecular diagnostics technology can detect ‘Stealth Omicron,’ which is difficult to detect with PCR assays.
COVID-19 variations are currently detected by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention using three methods: whole-genome analysis, target DNA (mutations such as spike protein) analysis, and PCR test.
The Delta variation is detectable using the current PCR test, while Omicron is not.
This time, the newly created technology is molecular diagnostics, not DNA or RNA sequencing.
Molecular diagnostic method was intended to generate nucleic acid-binding reactions only when the COVID-19 RNA is present, allowing for quick detection.
In PCR tests, Omicron produces a significant signal for N genes but a weak signal for S genes, according to Professor Lee. Both the N and S genes were found to be positive in ‘Stealth Omicron,’ making it difficult to differentiate from other variants. The Omicron variation is easily detected using molecular diagnostic technology, which uses different methods than PCR.
Unlike traditional technology, which can only handle 96 samples per device, the new technology can process over 125 samples in 30 minutes (more than 250 samples per hour). Furthermore, because this approach requires no specialist equipment, diagnostic kits can be made quickly and easily.
Because the approach can create a diagnosis kit in four days, it should be able to react fast even if a new strain or virus emerges in the future.
Professor Lee stated, “I hope that the revelation of this technology will assist us in returning to regular daily life as quickly as possible.” “After COVID-19, we will endeavour to diagnose and respond to new variants as rapidly as possible.”
Currently, this technology is in the development stage. However, in circumstances when a PCR test for Omicron has not yet been developed, it can be used as a backup.
According to Professor Lee: “Following clinical studies, I believe this technology will be near commercialization in the second part of next year. The reason I am disclosing this technology is so that others can use it to improve COVID-19 technology and so that developing countries can study COVID-19 variants as well.”
