RT-LAMP based test for Coronavirus
What to study?
For Prelims and Mains: RT- LAMP- key features and significance of the RT- LAMP based tests.
Context: CSIR-IIIM & Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) to develop RT-LAMP based test for Coronavirus.
What is Reverse Transcriptase-Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) test?
COVID-19 RT-LAMP test is a nucleic acid based test carried out from nasal/throat swab sample from patients.
Benefits:
- It is rapid (45-60 min), cost effective and accurate test.
- The advantage of this test is that the RT-LAMP based COVID-19 kit components are easily available and these can be completely manufactured in India.
Difference between RT- PCR and RT- LAMP:
While the current COVID-19 testing is done by real-time PCR their components are mostly imported. Further these tests are expensive; require highly trained manpower, costly instruments and a relatively high-end lab and cannot be deployed at remote locations in quarantine centers, airports and railway stations, etc.
On the other hand, the RT-LAMP test can be done in a single tube with minimal expertise in a very basic lab setup like mobile units / kiosks for testing at Airports, Railway Stations, Bus Stands and other public places.
Significance:
With the formal launch of the RT-LAMP based diagnostic test, the COVID-19 testing will not only be more rapid, cheap, easy and accessible but also would go a long way quickly isolating the infected individuals and mitigating the spread of virus.
Sources: pib.
