Rymko Alexander Nikolaevich, 2010 graduate of the Faculty of Environmental Medicine of the International Sakharov Environmental Institute of the Belarusian State University, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Director of “ArtBioTech”.
Kvach Sergey Vyacheslavovich, 2000 graduate of the Faculty of Environmental Medicine of the International Sakharov Environmental Institute of the Belarusian State University, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Deputy Director of “ArtBioTech”.
On the background of increased demand and demand for test systems for the diagnosis of the COVID-2019 virus, the “ArtBioTech” team decided that it was possible not only to produce the components of the test systems, but also to produce sets for PCR tests independently, based on genomic sequence data from the WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Such test systems can pass accelerated registration. If the developed kits are registered in an accelerated manner by the Ministry of Health, then all clinical and diagnostic laboratories in the country will be able to participate in the diagnosis.
Sergey and Alexander assure that if all the components are available, their laboratory can make 500 sets per day, or 50 thousand reactions. The most difficult thing is to get a large number of standardized enzymes and oligonucleotides. Part of the team produces independently, part is stored in the reserve, for example, revertase (an enzyme involved in the process of reverse transcription, that is, in the synthesis of DNA on the RNA matrix).
A set of tests for PCR diagnosis of coronavirus looks like five test tubes, which are accompanied by instructions. The laboratory assistant mixes the contents of certain test tubes, adds a sample taken from the patient, and sends it all to the device – a real-time detection indicator.
While the reaction is going on, the device reads the signal, and curves are displayed on the monitor. As Sergey explains, the green line means that there is a virus, the blue lines – that the reaction has passed, but the virus has not been detected.
Now, according to the team, they can provide for themselves by 95%. If something cannot be purchased quickly due to closed borders and transport problems, the researchers promptly conduct RnD (research and development or research work) and try to replace this component with the one produced in their laboratory.
So far, “ArtBioTech” has received permission from the Ministry of Health to implement 50 test systems for the detection of COVID-2019 and 50 reagents for RNA purification-or 5,000 studies. This is a one-time permit that is valid until the expiration date of the above products.
Since April 3, the company has been fulfilling a state order for 60 thousand studies.
The International Sakharov Environmental Institute of the Belarusian State University believes in the talent of its graduates and wishes them creative success in such an important task for the country.
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