Scientists at Delhi’s CSIR-IGIB have developed a paper-based test strip for Covid-19 and named it after the fictional detective created by Satyajit Ray.
About:
The ‘Feluda’ test strip has been invented at the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research’s Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB).
The simple paper-based test strip could also reduce Covid-19 testing costs — the real-time polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR) used currently requires machinery worth lakhs of rupees, but the ‘Feluda’ test could cost as little as Rs 500.
How does it work?
The strip will just change color and can be used in a simple pathological lab. The most important part is it will be 100 percent accurate.
CRISPR Technology:
Feluda uses cutting-edge gene-editing CRISPR-CAS-9 technology to target and identifies the genomic sequence of the novel coronavirus in suspected individuals
CRISPR technology recognizes specific genetic sequences and cuts them in a short time.
The CRISPR reaction is specific and can be done in 5-10 minutes. It is a powerful technique that worked in detecting the Zika virus too.
How Feluda is different from others?
Unlike Stanford and MIT, which use CAS-12 and CAS-13 proteins to detect the presence of the novel coronavirus, Feluda uses CAS-9 protein technology. And unlike the PCR test, there is no need for probes.
Sagar
Feluda
Context:
Scientists at Delhi’s CSIR-IGIB have developed a paper-based test strip for Covid-19 and named it after the fictional detective created by Satyajit Ray.
About:
How does it work?
The strip will just change color and can be used in a simple pathological lab. The most important part is it will be 100 percent accurate.
CRISPR Technology:
How Feluda is different from others?
Unlike Stanford and MIT, which use CAS-12 and CAS-13 proteins to detect the presence of the novel coronavirus, Feluda uses CAS-9 protein technology. And unlike the PCR test, there is no need for probes.