Feluda

WHY IN NEWS?

Scientists at the CSIR''s Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology have come up with a low-cost coronavirus test named ‘Feluda’ that will not require any expensive machines for detection of the pathogen.

ABOUT FELUDA

• Feluda is a low-cost, paper-strip test which can detect the new coronavirus within an hour.
• It is expected to cut cost than the RT-PCR test that costs Rs 4,500 in private labs.
• The test is based on a bacterial immune system protein called Cas9.
• It uses cutting-edge gene-editing tool Crispr-Cas9 system.
• CRISPR technology can be used for targeting specific stretches of an entire genetic code or editing the DNA at particular locations.
• CRISPR-Cas9 technology behaves like a cut-and-paste mechanism on DNA strands that contain genetic information.
• The specific location of the genetic codes that need to be changed is identified on the DNA strand and then using the Cas9 protein, which acts like a pair of scissors that location is cut off from the strand.
• A DNA strand, when broken has a natural tendency to repair itself. Scientists intervene during this auto-repair process, supplying the desired sequence of genetic codes that binds itself with the broken DNA strand.