Bio-Rad Laboratories has announced the launch of the SARS-CoV-2 variant RT-PCR assays for research use only (RUO). The assays can detect SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including P.1, B.1.351, and B.1.1.7, by distinguishing specific mutations in SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) often prior to a next generation sequencing (NGS) workflow for confirmation.
With the emergence of several COVID variants, public health researchers are looking for a quicker way to track their spread in a population. Laboratories that use NGS to track COVID-19 variants can detect these mutations more quickly and cost-effectively, Bio-Rad claims, with these assays, to more rapidly prioritise which samples to submit for NGS.
“We are pleased to introduce our SARS-CoV-2 Variant RT-PCR Assays to enable detection of mutations in these new variants more quickly and cost-effectively by laboratories using NGS to track COVID-19 variants,” said John Randall, Bio-Rad VP Marketing, Life Science Group. “The assays join Bio-Rad’s offering of research and testing products that are helping in the fight against COVID-19.”
