The researchers found that just by measuring the light intensity they can detect MPV and also measure the viral load.
Bengaluru: Researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bengaluru have developed a novel diagnostic tool for detection of DNA/RNA pathogens like bacteria and viruses, which is said to be better than the widely accepted PCR tests.
The project began as a way to detect SARS-CoV-2 (covid-19) said the corresponding author of the research article Prof Thimmaiah Govindraju.
“By the time we were successful with the detection of Covid-19, the third wave of the pandemic had already passed. But good thing about this platform is modular. We made use of this technique to improve detection of monekeypox and HIV-1,” he added.
First, the team identified special four-stranded structures (called G-quadruplexes) in viruses like HIV-1 and monkeypox (MPV) and then tailored the molecules that emit light when it meets these G-quadruplexes (GQs).
The fluorogenic molecular probe developed by Sumon Pratihar, Ramjayakumar Venkatesh, Mohamed Nabeel Mattath, and Thimmaiah Govindaraju also delivers more than 250-fold enhancement in detection output upon binding with a MPV GQs.