SARS-CoV-2 surprised the world with its quick ability to spread and adapt. Every viral variant was predicted to be the end of the pandemic. However, those predictions were quickly proven wrong by the emergence of the next variant, soon becoming dominant among the infections. SARS-CoV-2 has subsequently started to spread among wildlife, establishing reservoirs in these new hosts. It has become increasingly difficult to track viral evolution and potential new variants.

qPCR-based detection is the gold standard in assessing the spread of the virus. However, there is a risk that the assays used for detection will fail to detect their viral targets due to ever-evolving mutations.

Is there a way to address this dilemma? A future-proof qPCR solution for SARS-CoV-2 detection will be demonstrated in this webinar using the SARS-CoV-2 Neo Assay combined with the proven QIAprep&amp Viral RNA UM Kit.

You will learn:

• Why PCR target selection matters
• What to consider when choosing a SARS-CoV-2 assay
• Why is it time for the next generation of SARS-CoV-2 assays
• How the latest SARS-CoV-2 Neo Assay works as a flexible, automatable solution with a quick turnaround time

SARS-CoV-2 surprised the world with its quick ability to spread and adapt. Every viral variant was predicted to be the end of the pandemic. However, those predictions were quickly proven wrong by the emergence of the next variant, soon becoming dominant among the infections. SARS-CoV-2 has subsequently started to spread among wildlife, establishing reservoirs in these new hosts. It has become increasingly difficult to track viral evolution and potential new variants.

qPCR-based detection is the gold standard in assessing the spread of the virus. However, there is a risk that the assays used for detection will fail to detect their viral targets due to ever-evolving mutations.

Is there a way to address this dilemma? A future-proof qPCR solution for SARS-CoV-2 detection will be demonstrated in this webinar using the SARS-CoV-2 Neo Assay combined with the proven QIAprep&amp Viral RNA UM Kit.

You will learn:

• Why PCR target selection matters
• What to consider when choosing a SARS-CoV-2 assay
• Why is it time for the next generation of SARS-CoV-2 assays
• How the latest SARS-CoV-2 Neo Assay works as a flexible, automatable solution with a quick turnaround time

Several academic, industry and public health laboratories successfully implemented wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) to track community-wide infection trends during the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital PCR (dPCR) technologies offer ultra-sensitive detection and resistance to inhibitors commonly present in concentrated wastewater extracts. As such, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strictly endorses dPCR datasets for WBE. The current status of the pandemic seen through the WBE lens, unfortunately, reveals a spike across the United States. Mutational signature dPCR approaches indicate this spike is likely due to the Omicron BA.5 lineage's rapid emergence and spread. 

Further, shedding patterns of human monkeypox virus (hMPXV), a burgeoning, worldwide, and quickly spreading pathogen, reveal a putative WBE candidate. Attendees of this webinar will learn about dPCR approaches to monitor community-wide hMPXV viral loads with a limit of detection of <5000 copies/L starting wastewater. The GT Molecular team offers end-to-end testing service and PCR assay solutions that include Poxvirus matrix recovery control and fecal indicator normalization targets. As such, the scientific community will be poised to provide data that help steer public health decisions surrounding this recent and growing public health threat.

Several academic, industry and public health laboratories successfully implemented wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) to track community-wide infection trends during the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital PCR (dPCR) technologies offer ultra-sensitive detection and resistance to inhibitors commonly present in concentrated wastewater extracts. As such, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strictly endorses dPCR datasets for WBE. The current status of the pandemic seen through the WBE lens, unfortunately, reveals a spike across the United States. Mutational signature dPCR approaches indicate this spike is likely due to the Omicron BA.5 lineage's rapid emergence and spread. 

Further, shedding patterns of human monkeypox virus (hMPXV), a burgeoning, worldwide, and quickly spreading pathogen, reveal a putative WBE candidate. Attendees of this webinar will learn about dPCR approaches to monitor community-wide hMPXV viral loads with a limit of detection of <5000 copies/L starting wastewater. The GT Molecular team offers end-to-end testing service and PCR assay solutions that include Poxvirus matrix recovery control and fecal indicator normalization targets. As such, the scientific community will be poised to provide data that help steer public health decisions surrounding this recent and growing public health threat.