Thiruvananthapuram: Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMT), Thiruvananthapuram has developed a novel RNA extraction kit, which is vital in COVID testing.
The kit named ‘Chitra Magna’ works based on the basic Magnetic bead-based RNA isolation technique. With this, the COVID testing procedure is expected to be more accurate and quick.
Through the magnetic bead-based RNA isolation technique, Chitra Magna can isolate and collect 7 times more RNA from the swab of a COVID suspected person than the ordinary testing kits.
When the collected sample is stored and taken to the lab or transported as it happens now, the RNA may be split. With this magnetic bead-based isolation technique, the split RNA can also be extracted. To find if the RNA of SARS COV 2 is present in the swab taken from the suspected person’s throat or nose is decisive in confirming the affliction of COVID.
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The RNA is isolated from the swab, converted to DNA and then amplified using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) techniques. Then the particular region in the amplified DNA is checked for a set measure to conclude if the virus has infected the person. Chitra Magna can ensure the presence of the required quantity of DNA, thus leading to more accurate testing.
The research team led by Dr Anoop Thekkuveetiil developed ‘Chitra Magna’. The institute has applied for the approvals from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to begin large scale manufacture of the Chitra Magna RNA extraction kits.
