Recent advances in PCR-free nucleic acid detection for SARS-COV-2

Abstract

As the outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), fast, accurate, and economic detection of viral infection has become crucial for stopping the spread. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of viral nucleic acids has been the gold standard method for SARS-COV-2 detection, which, however, generally requires sophisticated facilities and laboratory space, and is time consuming. This review presents recent advances in PCR-free nucleic acid detection methods for SARS-CoV-2, including emerging methods of isothermal amplification, nucleic acid enzymes, electrochemistry and CRISPR.

PCR Independent Strategy-Based Biosensors for RNA Detection

“…At present, the gold standard for RNA detection is still reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Although this method is very reliable and reasonably analytical, it requires the support of technicians and expensive instruments [6]. These problems make the nucleic acid testing technology unsuitable for its integration into miniaturized devices for clinical applications.…”