The digital PCR method enables high-precision measurements of neovirus nucleic acids

Beijing, January 1st, reporter Chen Haibo from the China Institute of Metrology was informed that the International Bureau of Metrology recently published on its website the new coronavirus nucleic acid measurement results. The results show that the digital PCR method can achieve high-precision measurement of the nucleic acid content of the new coronavirus worldwide. The ratio, proposed and jointly led by the China Institute of Metrology and involving measurement institutions from many countries around the world, is conducive to improving the consistency and accuracy of the measurement results of new coronavirus nucleic acids in all countries of the world.
PCR is short for polymerase chain reaction, an enzyme-based chemical reaction that can be used in genetic diagnosis. At present, the detection of new coronavirus nucleic acid is mainly using fluorescent quantitative PCR method. Compared with the conventional fluorescent quantitative PCR method, digital PCR uses single-molecule detection technology, higher sensitivity, is an absolute quantitative technology that can directly measure the number of nucleic acid molecules, especially suitable for the current low viral content of mild and asymptomatic people of rapid and accurate troubleshooting.
In order to verify the measurement accuracy of the digital PCR method and the global consistency of the measurement results, the Chinese Institute of Metrology has offered to carry out the international ratio of new coronavirus nucleic acid measurements, which has been highly recognized by the International Bureau of Metrology and several national measurement agencies, and has obtained the joint leading position of the ratio. A total of 21 internationally renowned laboratories from 16 countries participated in the international competition, of which the British Government Chemist Laboratory, the Chinese Institute of Metrology, the British Institute of Biological Products and the American Institute of Standards and Technology jointly as the leading laboratory, leading the matching work. As a joint leading laboratory, the Chinese Institute of Metrology promptly sent matching samples free of charge to 20 other participating laboratories.
In this ratio, the Chinese Institute of Metrology used the independently developed digital PCR method to measure four new coronavirus RNA ratio samples, and used the independently developed isotope dilution mass spectrometry method to measure one of the compared samples, the measurement results of the four ratio samples were excellent, and the consistency of the digital PCR method with the isotope dilution mass spectrometry measurement results was very good. Moreover, the measurement results of the 21 participating laboratories in the world, including the China Institute of Metrology, are well consistent and achieve global equivalents. This means that the digital PCR method can achieve highly accurate measurements and international mutual recognition of the nucleic acid content of the new coronavirus worldwide.
experts from the China Institute of Metrology said that the international measurement ratio has greatly improved the consistency and comparability of the measurement results of new coronavirus nucleic acids in countries around the world, providing a measuring basis for the joint construction of a community of human health. At present, the digital PCR method and the results have been used by many national measurement agencies to develop the new coronavirus nucleic acid standard substance, which can be used for the quality control, evaluation and traceability of in-body diagnostic reagents of nucleic acids, which is of great significance to improve the accuracy of the measurement of neocleic acid of the new coronavirus and the effective response of countries to the outbreak of neo-coronary pneumonia.