The novel SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus which is responsible for respiratory disease was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The virus is contagious and is spread primarily through the exchange of mucus droplets that are expelled through sneezes or coughs.
The outbreak is an important reminder that the global community must strengthen national and international programs for detection and response to future disease outbreaks.
Product Details:
Zena Max SARS-CoV-2 Real Time PCR Detection Kit detects the presence of COVID-19. The assay consists of a forward primer, a reverse primer and a probe labelled with the 5’ FAM™ and ROX reporter dye with a 3’ quencher. As the new target cDNA strand is synthesised, the tightly bound probe is cleaved by the 5’ to 3’ exonuclease activity of Taq polymerase which releases the fluorescent reporter from the quencher and substantially increases the fluorescent signal. The point at which the fluorescence becomes detectable above the background, the quantification cycle (Cq), is proportional to the amount of target present in the sample. The primers and probe sets target the RdRp gene and N Gene which had previously been used in the identification of the SARS coronavirus, however, there is no cross-reactivity with this or any other coronavirus sequenced thus far. .These assays are both incorporated into a ready-to-use PCR master mix which utilises hot start technology, thus minimising non-specific reactions and ensuring maximum sensitivity.