Articles tagged with Polymerase Chain Reaction
Researchers at Rice University have developed a noninvasive method to track the expression of specific genes in living brain tissue, enabling real-time monitoring of gene activity. The tool, called In-vivo Tracking of Active Transcription (INTACT), uses engineered reporter molecules and sensors to detect target mRNA in the bloodstream.
Scientists at Umeå University found that i-DNA forms in living cells and acts as a regulatory bottleneck linked to cancer. The protein PCBP1 controls its resolution, which can block replication and increase DNA damage risk if not done properly. This discovery opens new avenues for drug development by targeting i-DNA handling.
Scientists at Northwestern University have developed the fastest test yet for diagnosing hepatitis C virus, delivering results in just 15 minutes – up to 75% faster than current rapid tests. The highly accurate diagnostic could revolutionize HCV care by improving diagnosis and accelerating treatment uptake.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a method to measure plant roots using DNA technology, revealing their essential role in food production and climate. The new method enables accurate measurement of biomass and species distribution, opening up applications in climate research, plant breeding, and biodiversity analysis.
The updated fourth edition of the Laboratory Guide for Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria provides simplified identification methods and detailed protocols. The comprehensive volume covers conventional and cutting-edge methods, including molecular, serological, biochemical assays, to accurately identify bacterial plant pathogens.
Diagnostics.AI has launched the industry's first fully-transparent machine learning platform for clinical real-time PCR diagnostics, delivering algorithmic transparency and per-test auditability. The platform is CE-IVDR certified and backed by over 15 years of experience and millions of successfully processed samples.
A new method for DNA detection uses heterogeneous probe particles and laser light to accelerate genetic analysis. This PCR-free technique offers greater sensitivity and speed than traditional methods, making it more accessible for medical, environmental, and personal health applications.
A new DNA detection system allows for the efficient surveying of cephalopods in deep-sea habitats. The technique uses environmental DNA metabarcoding to detect specific species, providing insights into their ecology and behavior.
Researchers have developed a high-pressure liquid seal technique to eliminate bubble formation in PCR chips, improving the reliability of PDMS-based chips for critical applications. The innovation simplifies chip design, boosts efficiency and reduces errors, making it more accessible for medical diagnostics.
The Shimadzu – DxD Hub Diagnomics Centre aims to accelerate the development of high-quality, cost-effective diagnostic solutions. It focuses on three key areas: infectious diseases, cancer, and metabolic disorders, with efforts to develop solutions for early disease detection and precision medicine approaches.
Researchers introduce a dual threshold classifier to interpret circulating tumor DNA levels, enabling earlier detection of disease progression and personalized treatment. The study confirms that ctDNA levels are superior to traditional biomarkers like CA15-3.
Researchers document five cases of parvovirus B19-induced myocarditis in preschoolers from northern Greece, highlighting the virus's unique impact on endothelial cells. The study emphasizes the importance of quick diagnosis and treatment to reduce mortality and morbidity in children.
The study explores gene fusion technologies, including FISH, PCR, IHC, ECL, and NGS, to detect biomarkers in tumor diagnosis. AI-driven detection and comprehensive genome-wide analysis using NGS and bioinformatic tools enhance diagnostic accuracy.
A new method combines confocal fluorescence microscopy with microfluidic laminar flow to detect nanoparticles and viruses quickly and accurately. The approach uses a 3D-printed Brick-MIC setup for sensitivity and specificity improvements, potentially changing virus detection in clinical settings.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new quantitative testing system called the Express Biochecker, which uses Janus particles to detect coronavirus N protein. The system is simple, rapid, and low-cost, with potential applications for other viral illnesses and biomarkers.
Researchers at Cranfield University have developed an innovative method for identifying biomarkers in wastewater using origami-paper sensors, enabling early detection of infectious diseases. The new test device is portable, fast, and cost-effective, making it a game-changer for public health measures.
A new study found that nearly five percent of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients achieve a pathological complete response (pCR) after treatment, leading to a 63% 5-year survival rate. The research highlights the importance of tailoring treatment based on factors such as chemotherapy regimens and radiation therapy.
Researchers found cyclin D1 expression in patients with penile cancer (PC) is associated with clinical and histopathological features. Patients with cyclin D1 expression had lower disease-free survival compared to the cyclin D1-negative group.
The LoCKAmp device uses lab-on-a-chip technology to detect Covid-19 and other pathogens in just three minutes, providing rapid and accurate results. The device has the potential to be used in remote healthcare settings and could also detect conditions like cancer.
A portable laboratory device can rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA from environmental surfaces, holding promise for scenarios where access to testing labs is challenging. The device uses a compact centrifuge and PCR technology to provide highly sensitive on-site detection.
A new detection tool utilizing DNA-specific primers can identify the nematode species causing beech leaf disease in plant tissue, allowing for rapid and accurate monitoring of the disease. This breakthrough enables forest health professionals to track the spread of the disease more effectively and develop control measures.
The new PCR technique enables scalable DNA data storage, making large, energy-guzzling data centers obsolete. The technology stores data in compact, long-lasting DNA files that can be easily searched and retrieved using fluorescent labels.
Researchers link acute severe hepatitis in children to co-infections with multiple common viruses, including AAV2. The study suggests that getting more than one infection may have made children vulnerable to severe hepatitis.
A new study published in Journal of Clinical Microbiology shows that using multiple PCR panels can identify more pathogens, notably diarrhea-causing E. coli and enteric viruses, and do so more rapidly than a conventional workup. This results in lower healthcare costs, reduced hospitalizations, and decreased antibiotic use.
Researchers developed an 'AutoPLP' technique to detect new variants of zoonotic pathogens. The tool uses computer program designs customized probes with specific sequences, yielding higher accuracy and efficiency in molecular diagnostics. This breakthrough could help rapidly combat evolving pathogen variants.
Researchers developed a novel method to create deep nanochannels in hard and brittle materials like silica, diamond, and sapphire. By employing femtosecond laser direct writing technology, they achieved sub-100-nm feature sizes and ultrahigh aspect ratios.
A study found that 60% of healthcare workers tested positive for COVID with antigen tests after five days and 50% were positive after seven days. Antigen tests are a better proxy for indicating infectiousness than PCR tests.
Researchers discovered that plasmids can linger in the nose of lab workers for weeks, interfering with clinical diagnostic tests. The study highlights the importance of considering occupational exposure in diagnosis and treatment.
A Tel Aviv University study challenges the widely-held assumption that COVID-19 originated from bats, instead highlighting their highly effective immune system. The researchers found that many reported findings on bat-borne viruses are based on antibody presence or PCR tests rather than actual virus isolation.
A large study of over 660,000 children found that SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with a range of symptoms and health conditions. The research suggests that some children may experience persistent health issues after infection, highlighting the need for continued monitoring.
A heat-loving bacterium's Cas13 protein enables specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses in a one-pot assay. The technology has been patented and clinically validated, with the aim of mass production and commercialization.
The study found that legislatures, rather than governors, played a crucial role in shaping data reporting practices. Standardized data collection protocols and comprehensive race and ethnicity data are essential for addressing health disparities and reducing information asymmetries.
A new digital PCR technique helps identify mutations in malaria parasites that evade detection by rapid tests, reducing false negatives. This allows for more accurate selection of diagnostic tests tailored to specific regions.
Infants born to mothers with positive SARS-CoV-2 tests during pregnancy were more likely to receive neurodevelopmental diagnoses by 12 months, even after accounting for preterm delivery. Longer studies are needed to confirm these associations and understand the long-term effects of in utero COVID-19 exposure.
Researchers from OIST developed a PCR test that detects nine sex-determining genes in Okinawa mozuku germlings, enabling the identification of male and female haploid and diploid stages. This allows for crossbreeding to create heat-tolerant strains, improving yields and addressing issues with detachment and contamination.
A new lab test has been developed by Rutgers scientists to identify COVID-19 variants. The test uses molecular beacon technology and can detect eight different mutations in the spike protein, increasing the transmissibility of the virus and evading immune defenses.
A recent study presented at the 2022 ARRS Annual Meeting found that COVID-19 infection significantly impacted lung cancer screening in diverse inner-city populations. The research revealed that approximately 9% of participants developed COVID-19 during the pandemic, with mortality rates reaching 6.9%.
Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have developed a new technique to easily visualize viruses using an optical microscope, called the Gires-Tournois immunoassay platform. The platform uses 'slow light' technology to detect coronavirus particles by slowing down light that gets reflected around them.
A new portable COVID-19 test can detect and differentiate the alpha variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from earlier strains in saliva samples. The test uses a genetic phenomenon called S-gene target failure to identify the alpha variant, and can be used at home or other settings.
A new highly sensitive and easy-to-use COVID-19 test has received FDA EUA status, developed at Northwestern University's Center for Innovation in Global Health Technologies. The DASH test uses a single swab and 15 minutes to detect virus samples with PCR-level accuracy.
Researchers at Kyoto University have identified a genetic mutation causing albinism in wallabies, tracing it to an inserted retrovirus gene. The study found that the mutation was caused by a copy of the HIV-like virus inserted into the host's genome.
Surveillance testing using saliva-based PCR tests significantly reduced community COVID-19 spread, catching 62% of positive cases in the Fall 2020 semester. By combining testing with mitigation strategies like masking and social distancing, Georgia Tech reduced positivity rates from 4.1% to below 0.5%.
A Dartmouth study reveals that consumers using at-home COVID-19 self tests may misinterpret the implications of their test results, leading to either unnecessary or inadequate quarantine. The study suggests that individuals at high risk for infection should still quarantine after a negative test result.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully transplanted a kidney from a COVID-19 donor, demonstrating that healthy kidneys from such donors can be safely transplanted. The recipient has shown no signs or symptoms of the virus and has excellent kidney function since the transplant.
A new portable $51 testing kit can provide fast and reliable COVID-19 detection in resource-poor regions, refugee camps, and disaster zones. The non-invasive saliva sampling system uses a technique similar to PCR testing, with costs comparable to commercial tests.
A new study from Queen Mary University of London demonstrates the effectiveness of a compact Covid-19 testing kit, which uses low-cost hardware and is relatively inexpensive to make. The kit offers a promising solution for remote areas with limited access to well-equipped testing labs or trained personnel.
Researchers developed reference materials with known viral loads to standardize PCR test results. The study found that Ct values varied among labs, highlighting the need for reference materials to compare and standardize results.
A new study of over 4 million adults in the UK found that people with COVID-19 symptoms are less likely to get tested due to barriers such as mild symptoms, poor knowledge of nearby testing sites, and certain demographic factors. The study suggests that targeted messaging and improved education are needed to increase test uptake.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that 13% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 on standard PCR tests remained clinically relevant for the virus beyond 10 days. This could pose a risk of onward transmission, and the authors recommend applying the newly adapted test to settings where vulnerable individuals are present.
Researchers developed a passive air sampler clip to estimate airborne virus concentrations, detecting SARS-CoV-2 in five out of 62 volunteers. The device could serve as a semiquantitative screening tool for assessing personal exposure and identifying high-risk areas.
Researchers have developed an at-home COVID-19 test with a high-quality assay that can detect the virus with similar reliability to laboratory-based molecular tests. The new test uses loop-mediated isothermal amplification and has unique advantages, such as speed and direct detection of viral RNA in saliva.
Researchers have created a cheap and rapid COVID-19 test using isothermal amplification, making it possible to detect any COVID-19 variants. The new system combines existing LAMP technology with novel coronavirus genome markers, allowing for quick detection without specialized equipment.
The Lancet infographic reviews COVID-19 diagnostic tests, highlighting their strengths and limitations. The study suggests that improved test accuracy could aid in pandemic control measures.
Researchers developed an RNA-based breath test called the Bubbler that can detect SARS-CoV-2 in exhaled breath, revealing a more direct indicator of current infection. The test also provides additional information on viral load and strain identity.
A recent study found that pathologic complete response rates did not differ by racial groups, but HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer showed a significant survival disparity between Black and white women. The study suggests that tumor molecular subtype is a more significant factor in breast cancer survival than race.
Researchers used imaging mass cytometry to analyze protein expression and cell location in tumor samples. High density of antigen-presenting cells with high PD-L1 and IDO expression was associated with higher pathological complete response rate in patients treated with atezolizumab plus chemotherapy.
A large field hospital study shows that a rapid Covid-19 test is as accurate as PCR detection, with high sensitivity rates for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The rapid antigen test's ease of use, time savings, and cost effectiveness make it an ideal solution to reduce testing disparities in medically underserved communities.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 stay higher in people who were infected by the virus and then received protection from mRNA vaccine compared to those who only got vaccinated. A longer interval between virus exposure and first vaccine dose may enhance antibody response.
Researchers developed a viral panel that enables simultaneous testing for SARS-CoV-2 and common respiratory viruses, providing insight into coinfections and viral spread. The tool helps predict and mitigate future outbreaks by tracking novel viral variants and their patterns of spread.
A study published by the American College of Cardiology found a significant inverse relationship between oral health and COVID-19 severity, as well as delayed recovery and increased inflammation in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Researchers recommend maintaining good oral hygiene to prevent or decrease COVID-19 disease severity.