Omicron has a large number of mutations — more than 50 mutations, 32 of which are in the spike protein — making it easy for the virus to infect the body. (Representative image)

According to officials, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Delhi have developed an RT-PCR-led test that can diagnose Omicron's COVID-19 variant in about 90 minutes.

At present, Omicron has used next-generation sequencing-based methods for identification or screening worldwide, which took more than three days.

The institute has submitted an Indian patent application for the rapid screening analysis created by the Kusuma School of Biological Sciences and is contacting potential industrial partners.

According to a senior IIT Delhi official, the test is based on detecting specific mutations in the Omicron variant, but not in other SARS-CoV-2 variants currently circulating. A primer set targeting these unique mutations in the S gene was created, and real-time PCR was used to test the specific amplification of Omicron variants or other currently popular SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The official pointed out that adjustments were made based on the use of synthetic DNA fragments to identify wild type from Omicron mutations in the dynamic range. At present, Omicron uses next-generation sequencing-based technology for identification or screening worldwide, which takes more than three days. Using this RT-PCR-based assay to test the presence of Omicron variants within 90 minutes will be feasible.

IIT Delhi is the first academic institution in India to obtain ICMR-approved real-time PCR-based diagnostic tests. The institute designed a method to detect COVID-19, greatly reducing the cost of testing and making it available to most of the country's population. The kit was successfully launched on the market after obtaining ICMR certification.

However, two people in Bangalore tested positive for the Omicron strain, which is the first time it has been detected in India.

Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Chandigarh each reported their first Omicron case, while Maharashtra and Karnataka each reported one COVID-19 case, bringing the total number of cases in the country to There were 38 cases on Sunday. At the same time, approximately 60 countries have reported a case of Omicron, which is classified as a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organization.

© 2021 Hyderabad Media House Limited/The Hans India. all rights reserved. Technical support hocalwire.com