How to perform a novel coronavirus nucleic acid test? Revealing the whole process

Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus pneumonia, the relatively obscure medical term "nucleic acid testing" has become a high-frequency word in our lives.

Most people only see the nucleic acid test process of medical staff taking samples. Where do the samples go? What are the "fully armed" testers doing in the closed laboratory? Today, a reporter from People's Daily Online takes you to the laboratory of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University to find out the whole process of the nucleic acid test for the new coronavirus.

The first step is to receive samples: the samples are transported to the nucleic acid testing laboratory in a special sample transfer box.

Receiving samples (Photo provided by the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University)

The second step is reagent preparation: the tester prepares the reagent dosage according to the sample size.

Reagent preparation (Photo provided by the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University)

The third step is to organize samples: testers check the quantity and organize samples in the biosafety cabinet.

Arrange samples (Photo provided by the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University)

Step 4: Information entry: Check the barcode quantity again, number the samples and enter the information into the LIS system.

Information entry (Photo provided by the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University)

Step 5: Sample addition: Shake the sample and add the virus preservation solution into the wells of the nucleic acid extraction plate in sequence.

Sample addition (Photo provided by the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University)

Step 6: Nucleic acid extraction: Place the nucleic acid extraction plate in a nucleic acid extraction instrument for nucleic acid extraction.

Nucleic acid extraction (Photo provided by the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University)

Step 7: Nucleic acid spotting: Add the extracted nucleic acid into the reaction system.

Nucleic acid spotting (Photo provided by the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University)

Step 8: Nucleic acid amplification: Place the prepared amplification plate in a fluorescent quantitative PCR instrument for amplification detection.

Nucleic acid amplification (Photo provided by the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University)

The ninth step is to analyze and judge the results and issue a report: After 90 minutes, the amplification is completed. After quality control is under control, the results of each well are judged and the report is reviewed and issued in the LIS system.

Distribution report (Photo provided by the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University)

According to laboratory staff, nucleic acid extraction is the most critical step in nucleic acid testing. Testers extract a certain amount of samples from the inactivated virus sampling tube and extract nucleic acid using a nucleic acid extractor. After a series of operations, the extracted nucleic acid is added to the reaction system, sealed and centrifuged, and then transferred to the gene amplification area through a transfer window for amplification... During the testing process, testers must be fully focused and careful.