A Simple RT-PCR Melting temperature Assay to Rapidly Screen for Widely Circulating SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The increased transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) which originated in the United Kingdom (B.1.1.7), South Africa (B1.351), Brazil (P.1) and in United States (B.1.427/429) requires a vigorous public health response, including real time strain surveillance on a global scale. Although genome sequencing is the gold standard for identifying these VOCs, it is time consuming and expensive. Here, we describe a simple, rapid and high-throughput reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) melting temperature (Tm) screening assay that identifies these three major VOCs.

Methods

RT-PCR primers and four sloppy molecular beacon (SMB) probes were designed to amplify and detect the SARS-CoV-2 N501Y (A23063T) and E484K (G23012A) mutations and their corresponding wild type s

SUBMITTER: Banada P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7987051 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature