*ISLAMABAD: *The scientists at National University of Science andTechnology (NUST) Attaur Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB) havesuccessfully established Molecular Diagnostic Assays for the detection ofnovel coronavirus (COVID-19), in collaboration with Wuhan Institute ofVirology China, DZIF Germany, Columbia University USA and Armed ForcesInstitute of Pathology (AFIP) Rawalpindi.
These testing kits will cost one-fourth the current price for the kits usedfor detecting the COVID-19.
According to NUSTS, these assays have been developed at a time when theworld is in the grip of an unprecedented pandemic novel coronavirus – andscientists and researchers are sparing no effort to ascertain remedies tothis incurable disease.
According to the NUST, the assays include both conventional and real timePCR-based methods of Sybr Green and Taqman.
The testing kits have been efficiently tested on laboratory controls andpatient sample.
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These indigenously established assays are robust, sensitive to the target,and would soon be available at one fourth the price of imported ones.
The team comprises Associate Professor Dr Aneela Javed and AssistantProfessor Dr Ali Zohaib from NUST ASAB, who have been working onestablishment of these assays for diagnosis of the pandemic the country isbracing itself for.
