Raipur: Research scientists of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Smriti Medical College and Multidisciplinary Research Institute (MRU) at Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Hospital are developing an Antibody testing kit aimed at detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus by serological assessment. This kit developed indigenously by the senior scientist at MRU, Dr Jagannath Pal and Junior Chief scientist Dr Yogi Rajput is intended for the qualitative detection of neutralizing antibodies produced in the body against the virus.
Additionally, Dr Vivek Chaudhary( Dean, Professor Director and HOD, Department of Radiotherapy/Department of Radiotherapy) the nodal officer of MRU provided constant support and encouragement to scientists. Dr Arvind Neralwar, HOD Pathology Department, and Dr Pradeep Kumar Patra, Dean Additional Director of Medical Education also provided necessary assistance to MRU during the research.
According to scientist Dr Pal, the research is in its final stages and will be on the market once it is approved by ICMR. The kit is likely to be the second indigenous diagnostic and inexpensive testing kit in India to detect neutralizing antibodies against COVID-19.
How does it work?
It neutralizes the antibody virus after it enters human cells and directly protects the human body from infection. Neutralizing antibodies prevent the cell from the infective virus. This antibody does not inhibit the biological effect of the cell and a protective immune system is formed against the SARS COV-2 virus.
How is it different from the other Sero-Diagnostic Kits?
Although many ELISA Based Kits are available in the market to detect total binding antibodies against SARS COV-2, these testing kits cannot detect neutralizing antibodies. This kit enables the detection of the neutralizing antibodies produced by the body.
As it requires minimal technical expertise, the test is simple and yields results in 2 hours. It is also reported to cost less per trial.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh’s Capital Raipur witnessed relaxation in lockdown as the coronavirus graph declines in the district.
Read More: Raipur relaxes Lockdown Ahead of set Date; New Guidelines to be Issued