Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched its Applied Biosystems TaqMan SARS-CoV-2 Mutation Panel, a customisable menu of 22 verified real-time PCR assays for identification of SARS-CoV-2 mutations. 

These assays enable surveillance of variants that are causing COVID-19 infections in specific regions globally and allow laboratories to choose which mutations to track.

SARS-CoV-2 has mutated countless times, with some variants potentially impacting efficacy of treatments and vaccines, stressing the importance of continued surveillance of viral changes. The TaqMan SARS-CoV-2 Mutation Panel is designed to be highly scalable, being able to run a few or hundreds of samples to identify one or many mutations. This provides laboratories with the ability to meet various levels of testing need with real-time PCR instruments they already use.

Mark Smedley, president of the genetic science business at Thermo Fisher, said: "With an evolving virus, having up to date, reliable and accurate information is critical in fighting back. With this panel, we're empowering researchers and clinicians by putting another tool in their hands to monitor changes in the virus so they can make informed and effective decisions for overall public health."

The TaqMan SARS-CoV-2 Mutation Panel provides results in about an hour and is based on gold standard TaqMan SNP genotyping assay technology, which can help to detect and distinguish mutations efficiently.