A Simple Reverse Transcriptase PCR Melting-Temperature Assay To Rapidly Screen for Widely Circulating SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

ABSTRACT: The increased transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC), which originated in the United Kingdom (B.1.1.7/alpha), South Africa (B1.351/beta), Brazil (P.1/gamma), the United States (B.1.427/429 or epsilon), and India (B.1.617.2/delta), 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 (T_m) screening assay that identifies the first three major VOCs. 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)

SUBMITTER: Banada P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8451443 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature