Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the current gold standard for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, it requires sophisticated and expensive diagnostic equipment. Researchers have developed a spasmofluidic chip with the potential to accelerate PCR testing and diagnosis only in eight minutes. This technology can significantly accelerate diagnostic testing during current and future pandemics .
Real-time RT-PCR utilizes enzymes to reverse transcribe viral RNA to DNA, followed by DNA amplification, which is then detected by a fluorescent probe. The PCR amplification requires 30–40 cycles of heating and cooling in special thermocyclers, accounting for approximately one hour. Considering the time required to deliver the samples to laboratories, it takes a turnover time of one day to get COVID-19 testing results. This plasmofluidic PCR chip developed by…
