A research team at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) has developed a diagnostic technology to detect the Covid-19 variant Omicron in just 20 minutes.

The research team, led by Professor Lee Jeong-wook of the Department of Chemical Engineering, said the technology could also catch the “stealth version” of the Omicron variant. It became available on the research team's website on Friday.

The researchers are preparing to apply for a patent for commercialization. However, they acknowledge that the procedure might take some time as clinical trials and the process for regulatory approval remain.

"Although the diagnostic tool cannot read the entire nucleotide sequence, it can read a combination of characteristic sequences to determine the presence of Omicron variant relatively accurately before sequencing," Professor Lee said,

Lee stressed that the diagnostic method could detect the stealth Omicron variant, known to be irresponsive to the existing PCR tests, and can significantly reduce the time for analyzing mutations.

PCR test amplifies a specific gene of a virus and determines the presence in the sample. It was used to detect infection and variants with different genetic characteristics. In the case of the Omicron variant, the existing PCR test gives negative results despite the virus's presence due to the mutation in the spike protein. Unlike the existing Omicron variant, its stealth version gives positive results in the spike protein test, making it difficult to distinguish it from existing mutations.

Researchers said that nucleotide sequence analysis of the entire gene is required for an accurate diagnosis, but it also takes three to five days to see the test results.

The new diagnostic method can save time by identifying only some points with mutations in the amplified gene. In addition, the testing method does not require special equipment and can be conducted by a simple and easy diagnostic kit, allowing large-scale testing with less money and time.

The research team also developed a one-step diagnostics that can detect infection in 30 minutes by combining the diagnostic agent with RNA in Sept. 2021.

"Even if a new variant emerges in the future, we will be able to respond quickly with the technology," Lee said.