Rospotrebnadzor created a methodology for determining three subspecies of "omicron"

Scientists from the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor have developed a laboratory technique for determining three lines of the omicron strain of coronavirus, the press service of the department reported.

“At the end of 2021, a set of primers and probes was developed at the Institute of Epidemiology for the detection of two mutations of the delta genovariant and four mutations of the omicron genovariant. This panel became the basis for determining the three lines of the omicron genovariant: BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3,” the report says.

The Rospotrebnadzor noted that the studies are carried out by real-time PCR, which makes it possible to obtain a reliable result within a few hours.

The new development of scientists from the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology identifies all the lines of the omicron variant known today, the department concluded.