Viruses are among the most interesting structures that question the boundary between the living and the non-living in biology. These organisms, which carry their genetic material in a protein sheath, cannot reproduce on their own; they can survive by utilizing the metabolic mechanisms of host cells. With these characteristics, they have inspired not only infections but also fundamental research in molecular biology.
Throughout history, humanity has witnessed many pandemics. Following the Spanish Flu in 1918, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic that emerged in 2019 has radically changed healthcare systems and scientific priorities on a global scale. COVID-19, in particular, has once again highlighted the need to diagnose viruses at the molecular level and the need for precision in diagnostic technologies. In the first months of the pandemic, there was a huge mismatch between the rate of spread of the virus and diagnostic capacity, clearly demonstrating how critical accurate, rapid and reliable molecular diagnostic methods are.
Clinical symptoms are often insufficient for the detection of viral infections. For this reason, the identification of infections at the molecular level is indispensable both for the diagnosis of diseases and for monitoring the spread. The first and most critical step in the molecular diagnostic process is the reliable isolation of RNA or DNA, the genetic material of the virus. The success of the diagnosis directly depends on the purity and integrity of the nucleic acid obtained at this stage.
At this point, Norgen Biotek and Roche Diagnostics offer reliable and effective solutions for researchers with their kits for viral nucleic acid isolation. Norgen’s spin column-based isolation kits are characterized by their flexibility to work with different sample types (such as blood, plasma, saliva, urine) and their high efficiency. Thanks to their patented resins, they offer the opportunity to isolate RNA and DNA simultaneously, which means time savings and increased analysis sensitivity. Roche’s products such as Roche’s High Pure Viral Nucleic Acid Kit offer reliability in downstream analysis by providing effective isolation even in viral samples with low copy number, thanks to their strong lysis buffers and high binding capacity glass fiber filters. The products of both brands are differentiated from their competitors by their success in removing inhibitors and ease of integration into automation systems. Therefore, the isolation process, which forms the basis of molecular diagnostics, is the first step to error-free and reproducible results.
Following isolation, qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) and dPCR (digital PCR) technologies are now the two pillars of viral diagnostics. qPCR enables amplification of target nucleic acid sequences and simultaneous quantification through fluorescent signals. Its high specificity and sensitivity have made it the primary diagnostic method during pandemics. However, its sensitivity may be limited at low viral loads as qPCR assays usually quantify on standard curves.
To overcome these limitations, digital PCR (dPCR) technology has been developed to split the sample into thousands of small compartments and perform separate PCR reactions in each. This allows quantification to be done in absolute terms, independent of the standard curve. Numerous studies published in PubMed show that dPCR offers significant advantages in reliably detecting SARS-CoV-2, even in presymptomatic individuals. In addition, dPCR technology is characterized by high-resolution data generation in sensitive situations such as monitoring residual viral load after treatment in chronic viral infections such as HIV, HBV and HCV.
While both methods have strong advantages in their own right, they come with some limitations depending on the application and need. qPCR is a lower-cost, high throughput technology that delivers fast results. In contrast, dPCR, while offering high sensitivity, comes with challenges such as longer analysis time, limited sample capacity and higher cost.
As theLetgen family, we know the potential of these technologies and the needs of laboratory conditions very well. For this reason, we not only offer our digital PCR infrastructure to researchers, but also produce solutions that add scientific value to your projects. By using our dPCR platform with absolute quantification power in your projects, you can interpret your data with confidence and make your analyzes more precise. You can also easily access the Roche and Norgen isolation kits you need for your viral studies on Letgen. With our fast delivery guarantee, we support the entire process without disrupting the rhythm of your research; we bring you together not only with the right product but also with the confidence that arrives on time.
Because we are more than a supplier, we are a true stakeholder in your scientific journey.