Covid-19: IISC start-up working on two-step method for RT-PCR testing

Team Udayavani, Apr 18, 2020, 4:25 PM IST

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) start up is working on a new two-step method for RT-PCR testing that can help India scale up Covid-19 testing.

RT-PCR test amplifies the virus’ genetic material from the swabs of the patients, converts it to DNA and checks it for designated markers to see whether it is the Sars-Cov-2 virus, which causes Covid-19.

Arun B, director of Shanmukha Innovations, the IISc start-up, said, “RT-PCR is the gold standard of tests, it can detect the presence of the virus in the body from day one, but there are very few RT-PCR machines across the country”

Sources claim that the method planned by the IISc team uses two machines instead of one to complete the test. The machines are cheaper and readily available in India, instead of one, to complete the test.