Development of High Precision SARS-COV-2 (RNA) FISH Probes

The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to global efforts to understand the mechanisms of the virus-induced Covid-19 disease and to seek to find effective countermeasures.

In this context, our daughter company MetaSystems Italy joined forces with RNA-FISH specialist PixelBiotech for development of highly sensitive and precise SARS-Covid-2 probes. First result is the PixelBiotech SARS-COV-2 RNA FISH probe (RUO), targeting the most preserved sequence of the SARS-COV-2 spike gene and the ORF 1 (open reading frame 1) gene, located next to the spike gene. This probe – in combination with the MetaSystems Metafer slide scanning platform – is now being used in several Italian labs for detection and localization of the virus in cells and tissues and – not possible with any other method - for quantification of the virus. In addition to the SARS-COV-2 probe an ACE2 probe as well as various inflammation probes are available. Since results are very promising, first publications are to be expected very soon: we will keep our readers updated.

For more information please send a mail to info@metasystems-international.com.