Review
Version 1
Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed
Technological Innovations in COVID-19 Diagnostics in Singapore
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Version 1
: Received: 5 May 2023 / Approved: 5 May 2023 / Online: 5 May 2023 (14:07:20 CEST)
How to cite: Ng, W. Technological Innovations in COVID-19 Diagnostics in Singapore. Preprints 2023, 2023050369. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202305.0369.v1 Ng, W. Technological Innovations in COVID-19 Diagnostics in Singapore. Preprints 2023, 2023050369. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202305.0369.v1
Abstract
Due to species barriers and poor adaptability to new host environments, few pathogens cause global pandemics. But, SARS-CoV-2 is one exception with its high transmissivity and delayed onset of symptoms. Fortunately, the world was able to tap on the technologies especially the maturing RT-qPCR designed to combat SARS to launch an initial offensive on SARS-CoV-2. These initial efforts may have bought time for scientists to develop more refined diagnostic tests that specifically target SARS-CoV-2. This article describes the effort put forth by the biotech industry and academia in Singapore to develop diagnostic tests that aid the early detection of positive cases, and thereby help contain the virus. Direct tests such as RT-qPCR and antigen rapid test profile the virus nucleic acid and surface proteins, respectively. But, of equal importance in case detection and treatment is serological tests that measure the relative abundance of IgM and IgG which is indicative of infection phase and quality of immune response in positive cases. Other tests such as isothermal amplification, CRISPR-based diagnostics and breath tests are also in development or at initial field deployment, and would undoubtedly provide valuable use experience useful for the development of molecular assays to detect and combat the next pathogen of global concern.
Keywords
SARS-CoV-2; clinical diagnostics; molecular assays; direct test; indirect test
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Biology and Biotechnology
Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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