The new SARS-CoV-2 variants often carrying multiple spike protein mutations as well as mutations in other genomic regions. The spike protein is key for viral entry and for vaccine development. Therefore, specific identification of theses variants is critical.
The VIRType SARS-CoV-2 (A570D) kit detects one single point mutation which result in the exchange of the amino acid Alanine to Aspartic Acid in the spike protein at position 570. This mutation at position 570 is found in the United Kingdom (UK) lineage B.1.1.7.
The primer / probe combination of this RT-qPCR system is highly specific for the SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 and does not cross-react with the S-gene region of SARS-CoV-2 wild type strain or other mutations in the spike protein.
The VIRType SARS-CoV-2 (A570D) kit is validated for use with the Agilent AriaMxTM, Bio-Rad CFX96 TouchTM and the CFX96 TouchTM Deep Well PCR platforms.
The kit is intended to be used by analytical laboratories for wastewater or environmental surface samples as part of quality control / quality assurance testing, (e.g. virological monitoring of production processes) or food surface testing, however transmission via food surfaces is currently under investigation and has not been confirmed as a route of exposure.
The kit is not intended for clinical diagnostics and should therefore be regarded as “For Research Use Only”.