To begin the word "reagents" is pronounced "re-a-gents." Merrium-Webster probably does this better, re·agent | \ rē-ˈā-jən (click here to listen).]
Secondly, the president is stating there are large numbers of "platforms" not utilized by the governors, with LabCorp (click here) and another commercial lab and the name escapes me but I think it begins with a Q.
The platforms for testing is not the issue. Obviously, it is not the issue as the president is attempting to tell the governors they are wasting money.
The problem is that the SPECIMENS needed to be tested DO NOT HAVE THE LABORATORY MEDIUM to replicate the virus and come to a definitive diagnosis. THE LABORATORY MEDIUM are the REAGENTS. These reagents are not the transfer medium, they are the living substance that will provide a clear understanding of the RNA that replicates in the DNA.
The process used IN THE LAB is seeking cDNA (synthetic DNA).
I am borrowing this illustration from Wikipedia. I hope it is understandable in realizing what is occurring in the dynamics of finding a POSITIVE result.
Below is from a list of professionals that use this process to identify SARS-CoV-2.
Comments sent out on Thursday 2nd April 2020
Prof Robin May, Professor of Infectious Disease and Director of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, said:
“SARS-COV-2 is an RNA virus, (click here) which means that its genome is based not on DNA, but on RNA (a closely-related molecule). Detecting the virus relies on specifically detecting a ‘sequence’ of RNA that is unique to this virus, converting it into DNA and then amplifying that DNA (essentially, making copies of it) via a process called PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The conversion of RNA to DNA requires one enzyme (reverse transcriptase) and then amplifying the DNA requires another (polymerase). Both of these enzymes are biological molecules that have to be produced (typically in bacteria), then purified, usually only in small scale. Normally, demand for these enzymes is very steady and relatively low, so scaling up to the massive quantities that are required for COVID19 testing takes time. In addition, it is critical to ensure ‘quality control’ of the extraordinarily large number of kits that must be produced, to minimise the risk of false positive/negatives. Tackling all of these rate-limiting steps together to eliminate all of the bottlenecks is the primary reason why testing has been relatively slow to roll-out so far.”
The illustration shows the process of the RNA in its use of reverse transcriptase in creating nucleic chains of DNA. Literally, the enzyme acts as a zipper and brings the RNA and DNA together to replicate the virus.
Basically, very basically, the MEDIA used to grow the cDNA is a living solution. These are not simply chemicals in a tube. So, reverse transcriptase is an enzyme found in living beings. It is put into the media along with a purified polymerase to allow the RNA VIRUS to feel at home and begin a chain reaction that produces cDNA that reveals it's presence. I took license with some of this, but, this is basically the idea.
The problem today in the USA is that these biological elements of the test media are not yet in qualities that can result in large numbers of tests required to test all Americans to the maximum.
HOWEVER.
There is a revolution happening in this method of testing for some time now. I would not be surprised if there is a new technology that is going to be introduced within a matter of weeks that solves the problems currently experienced in the USA. Below is a discussion between scientists that demonstrate sensitivity to this idea. Viruses are an important part of medical research because they are so disruptive to any country, both socially and economically and that does not even begin to count the number of people that were killed by viruses.
Just the title to this professional article relays the idea of frustration with the status quo.
J Clin Microbiol. 2013 Jan; 51(1): 2–8. Richard L. Hodinka and Laurent Kaiser. "Is the Era of Viral Culture Over in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory?"
...In the fast-paced medical world (click here) of wanting or needing an immediate and accurate diagnosis, viral culture has lost its place and relative importance in diagnostic virology. To me, as a director of a busy hospital-based clinical virology laboratory, there is nothing more disheartening than to invest considerable time, labor, and resources in test systems that yield less-than-adequate results in a less-than-timely fashion. In such a setting, the impact on clinical care and patient management is diminished and the overall effectiveness of the laboratory is called into question by those who use its services. Within the past 3 decades, we have experienced a significant change in the diagnostic landscape with the development of a variety of molecular technologies designed to rapidly and accurately detect, differentiate, and quantify many different viruses of medical importance. Led by real-time PCR, applications of these molecular methods appear endless and their use is now commonplace in larger academic medical centers and tertiary-care facilities and is expanding into smaller laboratories and even to the point of care as simpler and more accessible testing platforms come to market....
The idea of CHANGING methods receives a lot of resistance simply because it is new and UNPROVEN. If there is a testing regime that can be used to test everyone on the horizon I would not be surprised if the new method is being scrutinized in a more rapid method to improve the circumstances in the USA.
I really want people to understand the depth of knowledge these professionals have in their understanding of life. They know there is a delicate balance in the human body that consists of a wide array of knowledge of biochemistry. When a physician makes decisions about therapeutics, be they biochemical or physical therapy, they do so with a deep understanding of the human body. THE REASON these processes take so much time to develop, such as vaccines, is because of that depth of knowledge and COMPLETE NEED to understand what a vaccine does to that graceful balance of the body's biochemistry.
To put this in the simplest terms possible, the states are unable to use the large numbers of platforms because they don't have enough of the STUFF needed to process THE SAMPLE of the virus from the patient.
Secondly, the president is stating there are large numbers of "platforms" not utilized by the governors, with LabCorp (click here) and another commercial lab and the name escapes me but I think it begins with a Q.
The platforms for testing is not the issue. Obviously, it is not the issue as the president is attempting to tell the governors they are wasting money.
The problem is that the SPECIMENS needed to be tested DO NOT HAVE THE LABORATORY MEDIUM to replicate the virus and come to a definitive diagnosis. THE LABORATORY MEDIUM are the REAGENTS. These reagents are not the transfer medium, they are the living substance that will provide a clear understanding of the RNA that replicates in the DNA.
The process used IN THE LAB is seeking cDNA (synthetic DNA).
Below is from a list of professionals that use this process to identify SARS-CoV-2.
Comments sent out on Thursday 2nd April 2020
Prof Robin May, Professor of Infectious Disease and Director of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, said:
“SARS-COV-2 is an RNA virus, (click here) which means that its genome is based not on DNA, but on RNA (a closely-related molecule). Detecting the virus relies on specifically detecting a ‘sequence’ of RNA that is unique to this virus, converting it into DNA and then amplifying that DNA (essentially, making copies of it) via a process called PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The conversion of RNA to DNA requires one enzyme (reverse transcriptase) and then amplifying the DNA requires another (polymerase). Both of these enzymes are biological molecules that have to be produced (typically in bacteria), then purified, usually only in small scale. Normally, demand for these enzymes is very steady and relatively low, so scaling up to the massive quantities that are required for COVID19 testing takes time. In addition, it is critical to ensure ‘quality control’ of the extraordinarily large number of kits that must be produced, to minimise the risk of false positive/negatives. Tackling all of these rate-limiting steps together to eliminate all of the bottlenecks is the primary reason why testing has been relatively slow to roll-out so far.”
The illustration shows the process of the RNA in its use of reverse transcriptase in creating nucleic chains of DNA. Literally, the enzyme acts as a zipper and brings the RNA and DNA together to replicate the virus.
Basically, very basically, the MEDIA used to grow the cDNA is a living solution. These are not simply chemicals in a tube. So, reverse transcriptase is an enzyme found in living beings. It is put into the media along with a purified polymerase to allow the RNA VIRUS to feel at home and begin a chain reaction that produces cDNA that reveals it's presence. I took license with some of this, but, this is basically the idea.
The problem today in the USA is that these biological elements of the test media are not yet in qualities that can result in large numbers of tests required to test all Americans to the maximum.
HOWEVER.
There is a revolution happening in this method of testing for some time now. I would not be surprised if there is a new technology that is going to be introduced within a matter of weeks that solves the problems currently experienced in the USA. Below is a discussion between scientists that demonstrate sensitivity to this idea. Viruses are an important part of medical research because they are so disruptive to any country, both socially and economically and that does not even begin to count the number of people that were killed by viruses.
Just the title to this professional article relays the idea of frustration with the status quo.
J Clin Microbiol. 2013 Jan; 51(1): 2–8. Richard L. Hodinka and Laurent Kaiser. "Is the Era of Viral Culture Over in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory?"
...In the fast-paced medical world (click here) of wanting or needing an immediate and accurate diagnosis, viral culture has lost its place and relative importance in diagnostic virology. To me, as a director of a busy hospital-based clinical virology laboratory, there is nothing more disheartening than to invest considerable time, labor, and resources in test systems that yield less-than-adequate results in a less-than-timely fashion. In such a setting, the impact on clinical care and patient management is diminished and the overall effectiveness of the laboratory is called into question by those who use its services. Within the past 3 decades, we have experienced a significant change in the diagnostic landscape with the development of a variety of molecular technologies designed to rapidly and accurately detect, differentiate, and quantify many different viruses of medical importance. Led by real-time PCR, applications of these molecular methods appear endless and their use is now commonplace in larger academic medical centers and tertiary-care facilities and is expanding into smaller laboratories and even to the point of care as simpler and more accessible testing platforms come to market....
The idea of CHANGING methods receives a lot of resistance simply because it is new and UNPROVEN. If there is a testing regime that can be used to test everyone on the horizon I would not be surprised if the new method is being scrutinized in a more rapid method to improve the circumstances in the USA.
I really want people to understand the depth of knowledge these professionals have in their understanding of life. They know there is a delicate balance in the human body that consists of a wide array of knowledge of biochemistry. When a physician makes decisions about therapeutics, be they biochemical or physical therapy, they do so with a deep understanding of the human body. THE REASON these processes take so much time to develop, such as vaccines, is because of that depth of knowledge and COMPLETE NEED to understand what a vaccine does to that graceful balance of the body's biochemistry.
To put this in the simplest terms possible, the states are unable to use the large numbers of platforms because they don't have enough of the STUFF needed to process THE SAMPLE of the virus from the patient.
