Regenerated silica-based RNA purification columns to address the short supply of RNA purification kits for COVID-19 diagnosis

Background RT-qPCR technique is the current world-wide method used for the early detection of SARS-CoV2 RNA in the suspected clinical samples. Viral RNA extraction is the key pre-analytical step for SARS-CoV2 detection which often achieved using commercial RNA-extraction kits. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bulk production and the supply chains for the commercial RNA-extraction kit have been seriously compromised. The shortage of commercial RNA-extraction kit is even more acute in developing country. Furthermore, use of one-off design RNA-columns can generate plastic wastes that have an environmental pollution effect. Methods and results To address these issues, in this study, we used warm alkaline solution containing Triton X-100 for the complete removal of the residual SARS-CoV2 RNA from the used RNA-binding silica column. Columns regenerated using the alkaline solution have the viral RNA purification capability that is comparable to the fresh silica columns. We also demonstrated that RNA-binding silica columns can be regenerated and reused for a minimum of five-times. Conclusions Therefore, the use of the RNA-column regeneration method may benefits several SARS-CoV2 diagnostic laboratories throughout the world by cutting down the requirement of commercial RNA-purification column.

Automated summary

In this study, a warm alkaline solution containing Triton X-100 was used to completely remove residual SARS-CoV2 RNA from used RNA-binding silica columns. The regenerated columns showed viral RNA purification capability comparable to fresh silica columns, and can be reused for at least five cycles. This method may benefit SARS-CoV2 diagnostic laboratories by reducing the need for commercial RNA-purification columns.