A researcher at the Chemical Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Tjandrawati Mozef, made the remarks at an online event here on Monday.
The target gene amplification reaction using the RT-LAMP method can proceed within less than an hour, she informed.
With this, a COVID-19 diagnosis can be obtained faster with the same accuracy as an RT-PCR test, she said.
Within less than 30 minutes, the amplification reaction process starts to happen, she observed.
In addition, RT-LAMP can detect Omicron and SARS-CoV-2 in a sample up to a PCR cycle threshold (Ct) value of 36, Mozef said. A high Ct value indicates low viral load, she added.
She further said she expects the RT-LAMP, developed by her and her team, to become an alternative method of molecular testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. It is hoped to be implemented immediately, she added.
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If a certain region cannot conduct PCR tests due to a lack of PCR devices, then the RT-LAMP could become an alternative to meet the demand for COVID-19 tests within the region, according to Mozef.
Thus, people could have an easier access to COVID-19 tests, she said.
The RT-LAMP does not require a PCR device so it can prove relatively more capable and faster in detecting COVID-19 in a simple manner due to its isothermal system, she explained.
Hence, the RT-LAMP could complement the need for other methods to detect COVID-19 within the nation, in addition to other molecular-based methods such as the RT-PCR, she added.
Meanwhile, head of BRIN's Chemical Research Center, Yenny Meilana, said that utilizing the RT-LAMP for COVID-19 testing could prove cheaper than using RT-PCR.
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Translator: Martha S, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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