Development of an extraction-free, saliva-based workflow for SARS-CoV-2 detection with the Biomark™ HD platform

The need for high-throughput laboratory testing to identify SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals has reached nearly unprecedented levels. This demand has also led to supply chain issues that have hampered scaling efforts for labs across the country. Combined with these factors and the uncomfortable nature of nasopharyngeal tests, our facility sought to develop an assay that was both saliva-based and free from the need for RNA extraction kits. Working in collaboration with Fluidigm, we were able to accomplish this in a matter of weeks with a combination of up-front processing steps and the Advanta™ Dx SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay. We will present the basics of the workflow and its performance in validation thus far.