RT-LAMP: a new technology for detecting COVID-19

What is RT-LAMP?

• RT-LAMP (Reverse Transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification) technology is a one-step nucleic acid amplification method to multiply specific sequences of RNA of the coronavirus.

How it works?

• The RNA is first made into cDNA (copy DNA) by the usual reverse transcription.
• Then, the DNA is amplified by the LAMP technique.

Advantages of LAMP

• The LAMP technology has many advantages over RT-PCR technology.
• The RT-PCR test needs different temperatures in one cycle. On the other hand, the new RT-LAMP technology is done at 65 degrees C, where the DNA amplification is done at a constant temperature (isothermal), so that expensive thermal cycler is not required.
• The quantity of DNA amplified in the LAMP technology is hundred thousand times more than that is taking place in PCR. Therefore the final assay is possible with a simple colour reaction, removing the need for very costly real time PCR machines.
• The LAMP technology has been recently validated by the Indian Council of Medical Research with sensitivity 98.7% and specificity 100%.
• A confirmatory, accurate, rapid, low-cost, and user-friendly molecular diagnostic method is the prerequisite to address COVID-19 pandemic.