Context: Recently, the researchers at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) have developed a COVID-19 detection kit called 'Agappe Chitra Magna'.
About Agappe Chitra Magna

• It is a magnetic nanoparticle-based RNA extraction kit for use during testing for detection of COVID-19.
• It has been jointly developed with Agappe Diagnostics Ltd, an in vitro diagnostics manufacturing company based in Cochin.
• It has been independently validated at National Institute of Virology for Covid-19 RNA isolation.
• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has given approval for the commercialization of this kit.
• The kit can be used for RNA extraction for RT-LAMP, RT-qPCR, RT-PCR and other isothermal and PCR based protocols for the detection of SARS-COV-2.
• It uses an innovative technology for isolating RNA using magnetic nanoparticles to capture the RNA from the patient sample.
• The magnetic nanoparticle beads bind to the viral RNA and, when exposed to a magnetic field, give a highly purified and concentrated RNA.
• This indigenously developed and manufactured RNA extraction kit would reduce the nation’s dependence on imported kits which are expensive and bring down the cost of COVID-19 testing.