Cellmark provides a COVID-19 PCR testing service using the VIASURE SARS-CoV-2 Real Time PCR Detection Kit (VS-NCO2) manufactured by CerTest Biotec, S.L. This PCR test detects two target regions of the virus RNA: Orf1ab and the N gene. CerTest regularly provides updates to confirm if their PCR kits can detect new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Certest update November 2021 - Omicron
CerTest has confirmed that the VIASURE SARS-CoV-2 Real Time PCR Detection Kit (VS-NCO2) used by Cellmark can detect properly the new SARS-CoV-2 variant called Omicron and the functionality of the test is not compromised by this new variant.
The ability to detect the Omicron variant has been confirmed by In Silico checks (computer modelling) against the published sequence for this variant.
Certest update October 2021
CerTest has confirmed that the VIASURE SARS-CoV-2 Real Time PCR Detection Kit (VS-NCO2) used by Cellmark can detect properly (and the functionality of the test is not compromised by) the variants called:
The assays efficacy against new variants has been determined by a combination of direct testing of RNA extracted from known virus variants as well as by In Silico checks (computer modelling) against the published sequences.
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Cellmark is best known as a high throughput provider of specialist DNA testing for forensic analysis and paternity testing . We have been serving the police, government departments, local authorities, the legal sector and the general public with reliable, high quality laboratory testing services for over 30 years.
