The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), in partnership with Agappe Diagnostics Ltd., has announced the commercial release of the Agappe Chitra Magna Kit for Covid-19 detection. The SCTIMST, recognized as an Institute of National Importance, operates under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Agappe Chitra Magna: A New Tool for Covid-19 Detection
The Agappe Chitra Magna not your typical testing kit, instead, it’s an innovative magnetic nanoparticle-based RiboNucleic Acid (RNA) extraction kit. RNA is a long single-stranded polymeric substance found in all living cells, carrying the vital genetic information of the organism.
How Does The Kit Work?
The purpose of the kit is to isolate the RNA from the patient’s sample using magnetic nanoparticles. Given that SARS-COV-2, the virus causing the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, is an RNA virus, detecting the presence of this virus entails confirming the presence of its RNA in the sample collected from the patient’s throat or nose.
The magnetic nanoparticle beads contained in the kit attach themselves to the viral RNA. When subjected to a magnetic field, these beads yield a highly purified and concentrated RNA. The level of sensitivity of the detection method relies on acquiring a sufficient amount of viral RNA, therefore, this innovative technique boosts the probability of identifying positive cases.
Applications of the Agappe Chitra Magna Kit
The kit can be utilized for RNA extraction for RT-LAMP, RT-PCR, and other isothermal and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based protocols aimed at the detection of SARS-COV-2, the virus causing Covid-19.
The Significance of the Kit
The Agappe Chitra Magna RNA extraction kit holds great significance for India. Being an indigenously developed and manufactured product, it reduces the country’s reliance on foreign-made kits. Imported kits are generally costlier, hence the availability of a domestically produced kit is expected to lower the overall cost of Covid-19 testing in the country.
As we continue our fight against this global health crisis, the Agappe Chitra Magna Kit serves as a beacon of hope, improving our ability to accurately identify those infected with Covid-19. The kit stands as a testament to India’s ability to develop cutting-edge and feasible solutions during challenging times.
[Source: PIB]
