MOSCOW, Feb 4 -- Russia’s Sistema-BioTech, a subsidiary of the Sistema Joint Stock Financial Corporation, confirmed the possibility of detection of mutated SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strains, including the British one, using previously developed test systems, the company announced Monday.
"A research we’ve conducted has confirmed the possibility of detection of the mutated coronavirus strains, including the British one, as well as others, using the test systems, developed by Sistema-BioTech," Russian news agency (TASS) quoting the company as saying.
The company explained that the tests seek for the 3CL proteinase gene, which is the least likely gene to mutate. For example, the British coronavirus strain has this gene unchanged despite the 23 accumulated mutations in other genes. Therefore, Sistema-Biotech’s PCR tests can efficiently detect the coronavirus infection despite the mutations.
According to the company, its specialists analysed a wide spectrum of related viruses, including the 2003 atypical pneumonia causative agent, and concluded that a mutation in the 3CL proteinase gene is usually lethal for the viruses.
"Therefore, it remains unchanged, and a test system that aims at it, will be at advantage in case of a prolonged pandemic," Sistema-BioTech Director on Science Natalya Pozdnyakova said.
The UK coronavirus strain, revealed on December 14, 2020, is believed to be 70 per cent more virulent than the previous variant.
-- BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
