December 12, 2021
1 min read

ICMR team designs kit to detect Omicron variant in 2 hours

The kit is now being produced on a bulk basis by the West Bengal-based GCC Biotech on a public-private partnership (PPP) model…reports Asian Lite News.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed a testing kit which can detect the new Omicron Covid-19 variant within two hours.

The kit has been designed by a team of ICMR scientists from the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) for the Northeast region led by scientist Dr Biswajyoti Borkakoty.

“ICMR-RMRC, Dibrugarh, has designed and developed a hydrolysis probe-based real-time RT-PCR assay for detection of the new Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 that can detect the new variant within two hours. This is important because as of now a minimum of 36 hours is required for targeted sequencing and 4 to 5 days for whole-genome sequencing to detect the variant,” said Dr Borkakoty.

Generally, it takes three to four days to detect the Omicron variant in infected people.

The kit is now being produced on a bulk basis by the West Bengal-based GCC Biotech on a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Omicron

With the latest Omicron case detected in Delhi on Saturday, overall tally of persons infected by the variant has climbed to 33 in India.

Delhi reported its second case of Omicron on Saturday after a fully vaccinated individual with a travel history to Zimbabwe and South Africa tested positive.

Maharastra is on top of the list of states which have reported Omicron cases, followed by Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka.

ALSO READ-Third booster shot can beat Omicron: UK scientists

Previous Story

Religious scholar shot dead in Afghanistan

Next Story

Imran’s policy of appeasing radicals backfires

Latest from -Top News

Taliban’s Grave Warning for Pakistan

It came less than 24 hours after Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif reportedly issued a stern warning to Afghan Taliban…reports Asian Lite News As relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to deteriorate,

US deports 2,790 Indians in 2025

The MEA on Thursday confirmed that over 2,790 Indians were deported from the US this year after authorities verified their identity and nationality….reports Asian Lite News The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on

India–Cyprus talks on future plan

EAM Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Cyprus’ support for India on cross-border terrorism….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos met in New Delhi on Thursday

Rajnath Singh off for ASEAN meet

Singh is expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from the participating ADMM-Plus nations ..reports Asian Lite News Defence Minister Rajnath Singh departed for Kuala Lumpur on Thursday to attend the 12th

India, South Africa boost cultural bonds

On Wednesday, Shekhawat participated in the 4th G20 Cultural Working Group Plenary Meeting under South Africa’s G20 Presidency. ..reports Asian Lite News Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat met
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Help pours in as India reports 3.23L Covid cases

The total cases till now are 1,76,36,307 and recoveries are

Omicron becomes dominant strain in Ireland

Starting from Sunday, people aged 40 to 49 in Ireland