Omicron Variant Test Taking 4-5 Days Now Completed in 2 Hours

Dr. Hyojin Lee (KIST) and Dr. Jungkyu Choi (Korea University) Research Team
Develops Ultra-Fast Genetic Mutation Testing Technology, Demonstrates Performance in Blood Coagulation Mutation Tests
Applicable to Omicron Variant Testing, Dr. Lee "Developing Related Technology"

Reference photo. COVID-19 virus Omicron variant.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] A technology capable of identifying genetic mutations within two hours has been developed. This technology can also be applied to rapidly complete the genomic analysis of the COVID-19 virus Omicron variant, which currently takes an additional 4 to 5 days, promising revolutionary assistance in treatment and quarantine efforts.

According to the Korea Research Foundation on the 23rd, a joint research team including Dr. Lee Hyo-jin of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and Professor Choi Jung-gyu of Korea University developed an optical sensor technology that can quickly read single nucleotide differences caused by genetic mutations. Using this technology, they succeeded in detecting single nucleotide differences?known to be the cause of varying responses to blood coagulation delay drugs?at least three times faster than conventional methods.

In particular, applying this technology could drastically reduce the current testing time for the COVID-19 virus Omicron variant. Currently, quarantine authorities confirm COVID-19 infection through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and then conduct 'whole genome sequencing' on suspected cases to distinguish the Omicron variant. In urgent cases, this process takes an additional 3 to 4?5 days, causing significant delays in prompt treatment and quarantine measures.

The international academic journal Nature recently reported that "rapid identification of the Omicron variant (for treatment and quarantine) is a major challenge among frontline medical staff."

Previously, confirming genetic mutations required analyzing nucleotide sequences one by one or amplifying genes through PCR, which took considerable time. Even after amplification, distinguishing a single nucleotide difference within a long gene strand had limitations.

The research team designed a faster and more sensitive single nucleotide variation detection technology, moving away from the complex enzyme amplification-based sequencing. The core of this technology is an optical method that shortens time and increases sensitivity by using selective single nucleotide recognition and sequence substitution nanotechnology with gold nanoparticles and magnetic particles, combined with position-specific hydrogel fluorescence signal generation.

＜Single Nucleotide Variant Detection Using Toehold-Mediated DNA Displacement Technology＞
Using gold nanoparticles and magnetic particles introduced with complementary sequences that selectively recognize single nucleotide variants, target substances are selectively separated. Then, after detaching the toehold sequences attached to the gold nanoparticles from the surface and flowing them into hydrogel microparticles where fluorescence is quenched, a toehold-mediated DNA displacement reaction occurs, causing the fluorescent quencher to detach and selectively emit an optical signal.
Figure description and image provided by: Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Senior Researcher Hyojin Lee

First, gold nanoparticles and magnetic particles capable of binding to target sequences were used to extract only the desired target sequences with a magnet, replacing the amplification process. Then, by generating fluorescence signals at different positions within the hydrogel for each of the four nucleotides, the nucleotide differences could be easily identified under an optical microscope without reading the nucleotide sequence. The research team expects this method to serve as a clue for expanding various genomic analyses, including infectious disease testing such as COVID-19 and diagnosis of various diseases.

Dr. Lee explained, "DNA designed to selectively recognize differences in single nucleotide sequences is introduced via gold nanoparticles and magnetic particles, which primarily recognize specific nucleotide sequences in the sample," adding, "When the genes attached to the selectively separated gold nanoparticles are detached and flowed into hydrogel fluorescent particles, the previously off fluorescence signals selectively revive at the corresponding target positions."

Dr. Lee also stated, "The newly developed technology was able to detect blood coagulation-related genetic mutations within two hours," and added, "Since this is a platform technology, it can be applied to coronaviruses and others, and we are developing applied technologies that can recognize the characteristics of the Omicron variant and detect it quickly."

The results of this research were published online on the 19th in the international nanobio journal Small.

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