CCMB’s dry swab RT-PCR test kits to hit market soon

CSIR institute offers to train staff on its dry swab RT-PCR tests, which is less hazardous to transport and quicker to generate results

CSIR-Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) has offered to provide necessary technical know how and training to the healthcare personnel in handling the dry swab RT-PCR testing or ‘DArRT-PCR’ for COVID-19 on Friday. Director Rakesh Mishra informed that the dry swab test is extremely useful, particularly in the current pandemic surge when there is a need for increasing the number of testing. It has been developed in-house last year and has been tested extensively across various labs as well as hospitals in the last few months and is awaiting regulatory clearances. It found further validation through a second advisory from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), paving the way for quick release of this method into the market. “There is no specific technique, but we are ready to help to familiarise healthcare workers on this method, which is cheaper, safer and faster,” he said.