This presentation “SARS-CoV-2 Related Workflow and Solutions: Detection and Genotyping” will focus on strategies for the testing and detection of SARS-CoV-2, including multiplexed qPCR assays. We will also discuss genotyping and sequencing methods for surveillance, strain identification, and detection of key mutations that result in new and more infectious strains. Viral mutations can result in variants that are not detected, escape immune responses mounted by vaccines, and also generate drug resistance. RNA viruses have a higher degree of variance and are prone to mutate in response to vaccines and antiviral drugs. Constant surveillance and detection of mutations and variant strains are important to contain pandemics and to deploy new vaccines and antiviral drugs.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss genetic analysis platforms and technologies that can support SARS-CoV-2 research.

2. Describe how SARS-CoV-2 mutates and how variants emerge.

3. Break down how genotyping assays can complement sequencing strategies for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance.