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Efficient SARS-CoV-2 Quantitative Reverse Transcriptase PCR Saliva Diagnostic Strategy utilizing Open-Source Pipetting Robots
Published on: February 11, 2022
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Robotic RNA extraction for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance using saliva samples
Jennifer R Hamilton1,2, Elizabeth C Stahl1,2, Connor A Tsuchida1,2
1University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
Medrxiv : the Preprint Server for Health Sciences
|February 3, 2021
Summary
We developed a rapid, robotic saliva testing method for COVID-19 surveillance. This high-throughput assay accurately detects SARS-CoV-2 RNA in saliva, improving asymptomatic testing capacity.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Saliva is a viable specimen for asymptomatic COVID-19 surveillance due to ease of collection and SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection.
- Direct-to-RT-qPCR saliva assays enhance speed but may reduce RNA detection sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- A robotic extraction-based procedure enables rapid, PCR-based saliva testing for COVID-19.
- This method enhances sensitivity and throughput for asymptomatic surveillance and general testing.

