We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
RANDOX LABORATORIES

Download Mobile App




New Method to Detect RNA Viruses More Effective and Faster than PCR Test

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 01 Mar 2023
Print article
Image: New method detects RNA viruses based on triplex-forming probe technology (Photo courtesy of University of Barcelona)
Image: New method detects RNA viruses based on triplex-forming probe technology (Photo courtesy of University of Barcelona)

A new innovative method to detect RNA viruses based on the triplex-forming probe technology paves the way for new options for detecting viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, the influenza A virus (H1N1) or the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a pathogen that affects newborn babies and needs careful differential diagnosis.

The new methodology, called the Triplex Enhanced Nucleic Acid Detection Assay (TENADA), is based on the ability of polypurine hairpins (PPRHs) designed by the cancer therapy group at the University of Barcelona (Barcelona, Spain) to capture viral RNA and form a high-affinity triplex. When this hybrid structure is connected to a molecular probe and placed in contact with the sample from the affected patient, a detection signal of the viral agent is obtained. One advantage in the detection of viral RNA is that the PPRH methodology can be applied without the intervention of reverse transcriptase - the enzyme that converts RNA to DNA - or the thermocycler (the device that amplifies samples of genetic material with the polymerase chain reaction or PCR). In addition, it has a sensitivity and specificity equivalent to that of the PCR test and can provide results in less than an hour.

As part of the study, the team used the sandwich hybridization strategy in several biodetection devices. This strategy uses two oligonucleotides: a triplex-forming PPRH hairpin acting as a capture probe and a labeled duplex-forming DNA oligonucleotide acting as a detection probe. This methodology was implemented in a compact electrochemical device that integrates a two-electrode electrochemical cell on a chip and a fluidic component on paper, and in a thermal lateral flow system implemented in nitrocellulose and using plasmonic nanoparticles and thermal paper.

Scientific literature describes PPRHs as tools for gene silencing of several genes primarily involved in cancer. Additionally, they have also been incorporated as probes in biosensors for the detection of small RNA molecules (miRNA) to determine DNA methylation status and for the diagnosis of pneumonia caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii. Now, the new TENADA methodology proves to be effective not only in the detection of viral particles. The high affinity of PPRHs for viral RNA is a property that can be applied to inhibit the virus replication process. As a result, the antiviral properties of the polypurine hairpin clips CC1PPRH and CC2PPRH in cells of the VeroE6 lineage infected with SARS-CoV-2 virions are now also being studied.

“PPRHs are unmodified single-stranded DNA hairpins consisting of two specular domains of antiparallel polypurines,” explained Professor Carlos J. Ciudad, from the UB’s Department of Biochemistry and Physiology. “These domains, connected to each other by a thymidine loop, are linked by intramolecular reverse-Hoogsteen bonds. The molecular hairpins can bind specifically to polypyrimidine sequences in single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) or RNA viruses via Watson-Crick bonds, thus forming an antiparallel triplex.”

Related Links:
University of Barcelona

New
Platinum Supplier
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Gold Supplier
Automatic Western Blot Analyzer
Tenfly Phoenix Blot Analyzer
New
Trichomonas Vaginalis Diagnostic Test
Aptima Trichomonas Vaginalis Assay
New
Cystatin C POC Test
Cystatin C Assay

Print article
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The new assays are designed to run on the B•R•A•H•M•S KRYPTOR compact PLUS clinical chemistry analyzer (Photo courtesy of Thermo Fisher)

Breakthrough Immunoassays to Aid in Risk Assessment of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a life-threatening blood pressure condition that can arise during pregnancy and the postpartum phase. This severe pregnancy complication is a primary cause of maternal and fetal mortality... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The latest FDA clearance has finally brought HemoScreen to its full potential as a true POC hematology analyzer (Photo courtesy of PixCell)

True POC Hematology Analyzer with Direct Capillary Sampling Enhances Ease-of-Use and Testing Throughput

An innovative 5-part differential Complete Blood Count (CBC) analyzer with direct capillary sampling capability significantly simplifies blood sampling and minimizes the pre-analytical process.... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A new test could detect the body’s adaptive immune response to viruses (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Predictive T-Cell Test Detects Immune Response to Viruses Even Before Antibodies Form

The adaptive immune system is an incredible defense mechanism that allows the human body to identify and mount targeted responses against specific pathogens. T-Cells, a special kind of white blood cell,... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: On-chip pretreatment and rapid AST based directly on positive blood cultures (Photo courtesy of Liu Yang)

Integrated Solution for Rapid AST Directly From Positive Blood Cultures to Combat Bloodstream Infection

The presence of living bacteria in the bloodstream, known as bacteremia, can lead to serious conditions like bloodstream infections (BSIs) and sepsis, which can often be fatal. Quickly prescribing the... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The Mitotic Counting algorithm was trained on over 100,000 individual mitosis and across seven scanner models (Photo courtesy of Gestalt Diagnostics)

New AI Algorithm for Use on Eight Types of Cancer Trained on Seven Scanner Models

A new artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for use on one of the broadest trained environments is now available for commercial or research work. Gestalt Diagnostics (Spokane, WA, USA) has released the... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: A new electrochemical device can quickly and inexpensively identify people at greatest risk for osteoporosis (Photo courtesy of ACS Central Science, 2023)

Electrochemical Device Identifies People at Higher Risk for Osteoporosis Using Single Blood Drop

With the global increase in life expectancy, the incidence of age-related conditions like osteoporosis is increasing. Osteoporosis, affecting around 200 million individuals worldwide, has a higher incidence... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: AACC Middle East is a two-day conference that brings the latest in laboratory medicine to the Middle East region (Photo courtesy of ADLM)

AACC Middle East 2023 to Explore Latest Trends in Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

The AACC Middle East Conference and Exposition will be held by the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM - formerly AACC, Washington, DC, USA) in partnership with Life Dx (Abu Dhabi,... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.