COVID-19 Archives - Primerdesign Real-Time PCR Blog

12 May

Continual testing is critical to avoid a virus ‘pole-vault’

A multi-layered approach comprising vaccines, testing, lockdowns where necessary and medication will be essential for the foreseeable future in combatting COVID-19 – described as an “extraordinarily transmissible virus,” during the NovaTalk webinar on May 7th. “In fact, there’s no going back to normal,” said Professor Alex Welte, Research Professor at The South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA). “People will have to get used to a viable new normal, as we co-exist with a mutating virus.” Talking about the [...]

COVID-19, Events

23 Apr

Global bioinformatics surveillance drives innovation in SARS-CoV-2 variant detection tests

Market-leading intelligence is the catalyst behind Novacyt’s ability to anticipate – and respond – to emerging new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Global tracking of virus mutations enables its R & D division to quickly develop tests that not only identify variants of concern (VOCs) – originally identified in countries such as the UK, Brazil, South Africa etc – in less than two hours but also identify and add mutations that are likely to become biologically relevant. Novacyt’s bioinformatics surveillance group has worked with [...]

Behind the scenes, COVID-19, genesig qPCR Detection Kits

14 Apr

Novacyt Group: PathFlow® technology and knowledge underpin our drive for continued innovation

Advancing technology and a unique wealth of knowledge are the driving forces behind innovative development in our PathFlow® portfolio of diagnostic tests for infectious diseases. Our latest addition to the range – the PathFlow® SARS-CoV-2 IgG – is an easy-to-use, rapid, lateral flow test for the detection of COVID-19 antibodies. It’s a natural evolution in the Novacyt Group’s range of COVID-19 diagnostic solutions, building on our growing expertise in this field, plus our ability to maximise the potential of our technologies [...]

COVID-19

01 Apr

PathFlow®: Future innovation of COVID-19 Lateral Flow Testing

PathFlow®: Future innovation of COVID-19 Lateral Flow Testing Advancing technology and a unique wealth of knowledge are the driving forces behind innovative development in our PathFlow® portfolio of diagnostic tests for infectious diseases. This includes innovative product development in our PathFlow® portfolio – part of our Microgen Bioproducts division – where the new SARS-CoV-2 IgG rapid test is a natural addition to a fast-growing range of assays for the rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases. PathFlow® COVID-19 testing solutions: As the demands for [...]

COVID-19, News

04 Mar

Evolution of testing and sequencing during COVID-19 is vital to future pandemic control

The advances in testing and genome sequencing during the COVID-19 pandemic will be crucial to predicting and managing future pandemics, according to scientific discussion during the NovaTalk webinar on February 26. What’s more, the expanse of science over the past 15 months could now be applied to tackling the growing worldwide incidence of antibiotic resistance. Prof. Sharon Peacock, Director of the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium and Professor of Public Health and Microbiology at the University of Cambridge, said: “I’m not afraid [...]

COVID-19, Events

27 Jan

SARS-CoV-2 Mutations – Cause for Concern?

SARS-CoV-2 Mutations – Cause for Concern? The accumulation of genetic mutations is a normal part of viral evolution. Mutations change the sequence of the viral genome, creating different ‘variants.’ While some mutations might be silent, with no visible clinical effect, others might have implications for disease transmission, severity, reinfection potential, and immunity. SARS-CoV-2 variants A recently described clinically significant mutation has been termed N501Y, which put simply means that the amino acid ‘N’ at position 501 of the spike protein has [...]

COVID-19, News

20 Jan

Learn more about COVID-19 antibody testing

Learn more about our range of COVID-19 solutions and how they could help with your diagnostic needs. As we enter 2021, we also move into a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Health services must be prepared to respond to new challenges, including the resurgence of the virus, the emergence of new strains, coordinating the roll-out of vaccination programmes, and supporting patients with ‘long covid1.’ The development of reliable mass testing services is crucial in limiting the spread of COVID-19. Novacyt’s [...]

COVID-19, genesig qPCR Detection Kits, Winter Testing

24 Dec

What does the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants mean for testing?

What does the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants mean for testing? The UK has recently been at the centre of considerable media attention due to the detection of a large number of COVID-19 cases caused by a new variant of the viral pathogen. This new SARS-CoV-2 variant, has been the subject of particular interest because it is associated with higher transmission rates. It has also been cited as the primary reason for introducing tighter restrictions over Christmas, a period usually [...]

COVID-19, News

20 Nov

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on other diseases

Despite the introduction of protective measures, the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to take hold across the world. The latest data from the World Health Organisation indicates that over 40 million cases and 1.1 million deaths have been reported, with the spread of SARS-CoV-2 continuing to accelerate1. Aside from the direct implications on individuals, their families, and our collective lifestyles, there are also profound indirect effects of rising infection rates. These include barriers to accessing essential healthcare, mental health impacts, limited [...]

COVID-19, genesig qPCR Detection Kits

04 Sep

COVID-19 in the winter season – overcoming new challenges with the Winterplex™

Distinguishing COVID-19 infection from other respiratory illnesses is of crucial importance in controlling the spread of the disease. This is especially true during the winter months, where there is a surge in flu cases as well as other illnesses. The genesig® SARS-CoV-2 Winterplex enables clinicians to simultaneously test for COVID-19 and other winter illnesses, providing reliable results in under two hours. As we enter the winter months of 2020, there are several unknowns about how the severity and spread of COVID-19 [...]

COVID-19, Videos, Winter Testing