Sequencing Service Supports SARS-CoV-2 Testing Labs

A service for Whole Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2, developed to enable the UK government’s Test-To-Release scheme, is available from precision medicine and liquid biopsy developers Nonacus. Assay development for the new service was funded by a grant from Innovate UK.  

Government regulations, recently announced, set out the minimum standards that private sector providers must meet for SARS-CoV-2 tests for people arriving in England. All international arrivals to the UK are required to take a test on day 2 and day 8 of their quarantine period for variant surveillance. Day 2 samples shown to be positive from qRT-PCR testing will have the SARS-CoV-2 genomes sequenced to look for novel variants. Nonacus’ new service will support this scheme and enable monitoring of the disease.

During the pandemic, Nonacus developed a complete SARS-CoV-2 testing workflow and Whole Genome Viral Sequencing library approach with nanopore sequencing.

Chris Sale, CEO of Nonacus, said: “We are proud to have developed this service and support the government’s test-to-release scheme. Our method will provide a faster, lower cost offering for Whole Genome Viral Sequencing, which will be key in identifying and monitoring variants. We look forward to supporting laboratories undertaking SARS-CoV-2 testing, as well as aiding public health institutions in their surveillance of the virus.”

Further information online