‘Detection in one hour, as sensitive as PCR test’

NEW DELHI: FNCAS9 Editor Linked Uniform Detection Assay (Feluda), uses CRISPR gene-editing technology to identify and target the genetic material of Sars-CoV2, the virus that causes Covid-19. Senior scientist Dr Debojyoti Chakraborty, who developed

Feluda along with Dr Souvik Maiti, spoke to Sanchita Sharma about it. Edited excerpts:

What is the sensitivity and specificity of Feluda? Antibody-based rapid tests have received flak in India and the world over for inaccurate results...

The sensitivity is similar or sometimes better than quantitative realtime PCR [polymerase chain reaction]-based tests...

Are you a Satyajit Ray fan? Who came up with the acronym?

Yes, I am a Satyajt Ray fan and the name was given by my wife, who is not a Bengali but is well aware of the sentiments.

How long did it take to develop the test?

Feluda is not limited to Covid-19. We were working on it for the past two years to develop an assay that can work on detecting any DNA-RNA or their mutations. In end of January 2020, we started working on adapting it for Covid-19.

How long does it take to produce results?

This process of detection takes about one hour to complete if the starting material is RNA, and gives a visual readout on the strip.

What will be the cost of each test? Can it be used outside labs in under-resourced settings?

At the lab level, the cost of each test is around Rs 500. Our efforts are directed for its use at places with very basic lab setups such as pathology labs, universities, health centres, etc.

When will it be ready for the market? What is the role of Tata Sons in it?

The CSIR-IGIB is an academic institute. The marketing will be done by industry. Tata Sons signed an agreement with us to take it to the masses. We hope this should be ready for the first phase of testing in 4 weeks.