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DRDO’s Covid-19 antibody detection kit:
Context:
The Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), a laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has developed a Covid-19 antibody detection kit called ‘Dipcovan’.
About Dipcovan:
- The Dipcovan kit can detect both spike as well as nucleocapsid (S&N) proteins of SARS-CoV-2 virus with a high sensitivity of 97 % and specificity of 99%.
- The kit has a shelf life of 18 months.
- It has been developed in association with Vanguard Diagnostics Pvt Ltd.
- The antibody detection kit is approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in April 2021.
Antibody:
- Antibody, also called immunoglobulin is a protective protein produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a foreign substance, called an antigen.
- Antibodies recognize and attack onto antigens in order to remove them from the body.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Differentiate between- RT- PCR, Rapid antibody and rapid antigen tests.
- What are antibodies?
- What are antigens?
- How does the body’s immune system work?
- What are lymphocytes?
- Coronavirus that affects humans.
Mains Link:
Write a note on rapid antigen tests.
Sources: PIB.