SCTIMST developed Chitra Magna, an innovative RNA extraction kit

The commercial launch of Agappe Chitra Magna was announced by Dr VK Saraswat, NITI Aayog member and President of Institute body of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST).

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020

Key-Points

SARS-COV-2, the causative virus of COVID-19 pandemic, is an RNA virus. It is a long single-stranded polymeric substance present in all living cells that carries the genetic information of the organism necessary for life.

One of the critical steps in detecting this virus is by confirming the presence of the RNA of the virus in the sample taken from the throat or nose.

The sample collected is transported under specified conditions in a viral transport medium to the testing laboratory.

The protocol for the kit uses magnetic nanoparticles to capture and concentrate the RNA from the patient sample. The magnetic nanoparticle beads bind to the viral RNA and, when exposed to a magnetic field, give a highly purified and concentrated level of RNA.

The yield of the PCR or LAMP test is dependent on getting an adequate quantity of viral RNA. Hence the innovation will enhance the chances of identifying positive cases. The Institute has filed for a patent for this technology, which is simpler than in imported kits.