Webinar: Teaching Biotech from a Distance - Quantitative RT PCR assays and SARS-CoV-2

This Friday, we will discuss the design and use of molecular diagnostic tests for detecting SARS-CoV-2, specifically, quantitative RT-PCR.  This test uses Reverse transcriptase to make a copy of the novel coronavirus RNA, and fluorescent probes to measure the amount of viral RNA in a sample.  

Dr. Meei-Li Huang from the Virology division at the University of Washington will join us.  Dr. Huang is part of a group that has been working on the front lines since late February to evaluate quantitative PCR assays and test people for COVID-19. 

We will also talk about how you can have students use BLAST to investigate the primer sets from her publication.

Dr. Linnea Fletcher will discuss how biotech students use quantitative RT PCR at Austin Community College.

References and articles about UW Virology and quantitative RT PCR

1.  Background on Molecular testing vs. Serology:  What is the best way to test for COVID-19?

2.  Sara Jean Green, March 4th, "UW Medicine gets green light to test for coronavirus." Seattle Times.

3.  Robert Baird, March 16, 2020, "What went wrong with coronavirus testing in the US." New Yorker.

4.  Nalla AK, Casto AM, Huang MW, Perchetti GA, Sampoleo R, Shrestha L, Wei Y, Zhu H, Jerome KR, Greninger AL. Comparative Performance of SARS-CoV-2 Detection Assays Using Seven Different Primer/Probe Sets and One Assay Kit. J Clin Microbiol. 2020 Apr 8:JCM.00557-20. doi: 10.1128/JCM.00557-20. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32269100.