Unknown

Dataset Information

0

Production and use of encapsidated RNA mimics as positive control reagents for SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR diagnostics.


ABSTRACT: The current gold standard technique for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics is hydrolysis probe-based RT-qPCR. Reliable testing requires reliable control reagents to monitor the efficiency of RNA extraction, reverse transcription and PCR amplification. Here we describe a custom RNA packaging system from the plant virus cowpea mosaic virus to produce virus-like particles that encapsidate specifically designed portions of the genome of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. These encapsidated mimics are highly stable particles which can be used either to spike patient swab samples for use as an in-tube extraction and reaction positive control in multiplex RT-qPCR, or alone as a side-by-side mock-positive control reagent. The selection of sequences in the packaged pseudogenomes ensures that these mimics are compatible with the most commonly used primer/probe combinations for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics (including German Berlin Charité Hospital, American CDC, and Chinese CDC protocols). The plant transient expression system used to produce these encapsidated mimics is inherently low-cost, and sufficiently high-yielding that a single laboratory-scale preparation can provide enough positive control reagent for millions of tests.

SUBMITTER: Peyret H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8611828 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC8395416 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8146039 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8387146 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC9223264 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC7215906 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8285242 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC7571696 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC9239708 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8669853 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8572825 | biostudies-literature