'Mutant COVID-19' Also Targeted... Development of Multiplex PCR

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] Domestic researchers have developed a diagnostic method capable of detecting even variants of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Current diagnostic methods identify 3 to 4 genes to determine infection status, but the newly developed method can identify up to 20 genes. This allows for more accurate confirmation of infection status as well as differentiation between novel strains and variants. It is being evaluated as a diagnostic method that can elevate the level of South Korea's quarantine system by one step.

Detecting Viruses Accurately at Once

Recently introduced in the international academic journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics, the particle-based diagnostic technology (qPCR) developed by Dr. Sangkyung Kim's research team at the Molecular Recognition Research Center of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology is a diagnostic method that enhances the performance of PCR in diagnosing infections of high-risk viruses.

The core of the new diagnostic technology is a microparticle with a diameter of 500 micrometers (㎛) containing multiple pores. The research team developed this particle to allow the insertion of reagents capable of identifying different genes. The reagents independently react to different viral proteins, enabling the identification of the presence of viruses.

The research team stated that this method can identify up to 20 types of viral genes at once. They analyzed 6 genes of the influenza virus using this method. They have also developed a chip capable of detecting more than 20 influenza genes simultaneously.

Existing methods for diagnosing high-risk viruses such as COVID-19 involve simultaneous reverse transcription and real-time PCR (RT qPCR, reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction) to convert RNA into DNA. This method can identify about 3 to 4 viral genes.

Using the new diagnostic technology, it will be possible to diagnose variant COVID-19 strains in the future. Dr. Sangkyung Kim stated, "The new diagnostic method has the advantage of increasing diagnostic accuracy and speed by allowing multiple genes to be checked at once." He added, "If existing diagnostic methods are considered technologies that confirm whether COVID-19 infection is present, qPCR is an advanced technology that can distinguish between novel and variant strains by confirming the presence of multiple genes."

Capable of Diagnosing Cancer as Well

On the 19th, a confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported among visitors to the main cafeteria of the Government Seoul Office Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, leading to the suspension of the cafeteria's operation. A notice prohibiting entry related to COVID-19 is posted on the stairs leading to the cafeteria. Photo by Mo Nam Moon munonam@

Additionally, the research team revealed that the new diagnostic method can analyze microRNA (miRNA), which was undetectable by conventional RT qPCR. miRNA refers to small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression in organisms. miRNA serves as an indicator of cellular status and is also a marker for cancer and metabolic diseases. Although miRNA chemically shares properties with RNA, its short length made RT qPCR analysis impossible.

The research team inserted loop-shaped primers specialized for miRNA into the microparticles, performed reverse transcription into DNA, and enabled PCR reactions within the particles. This made it possible to analyze multiple types of miRNA simultaneously, just like general RNA. The team reported that the diagnostic time was reduced to under one hour and succeeded in detecting up to 5 types of miRNA at once.

Dr. Kim said, "This study demonstrates that the particle-based diagnostic technology (qPCR) can be a breakthrough in improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency through multiple gene information," and predicted, "It will especially contribute to gaining a technological advantage in RNA analysis." He continued, "It can be efficiently applied not only to increase diagnostic accuracy for single diseases using multiple genetic markers but also to accurately distinguish infectious sources when multiple infectious diseases with similar symptoms are prevalent."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.