New England Biolabs® (NEB®) today announced the launch of the SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Colorimetric LAMP Assay Kit, a Research Use Only (RUO) product that can be used for the detection of novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The kit serves as a simple alternative to RT-qPCR and enables visual detection of amplification of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in just 30 minutes.
The kit utilizes loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to detect specific segments of the viral genome. This system provides a clear visual detection of amplification, based on the generation of protons and the subsequent drop in pH that occurs from the extensive DNA polymerase activity in a LAMP reaction. The decrease in pH produces a color change, with pink indicating a negative result and yellow indicating a positive result.
"RT-qPCR, the predominant nucleic acid amplification technology, requires a laboratory with sophisticated equipment, and can take hours to produce a readout," said Steven Chiu, Product ...
