Surveillance solutions

Sample to Insight COVID-19 wastewater testing

There's growing evidence that successful detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater or natural sewage is a powerful surveillance tool to prevent a surge in COVID-19 infections, and specifically of new variants that are gaining ground in certain communities. QIAGEN supports wastewater-based epidemiology efforts with research tools spanning nucleic acid extraction, amplification and detection, overcoming some of the common challenges with the analytical protocols along the workflow.

Understanding SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology from every angle

Whole genomic sequencing services

QIAGEN Genomic Services provides a comprehensive Sample-to-Insight SARS-CoV-2 Whole Genome Sequencing Services to support your research. Whether you’re studying strain evolution or performing phylogeographic or metagenomic analyses, Genomic Services is the right partner for providing impactful insights and helping accelerate your COVID-19 research. This service uses technology especially designed for SARS-CoV-2 research.

Pyrosequencing for COVID-19 genotyping

The prevalence of variants must be rapidly detected and reported to keep pace with the mutating SARS-CoV-2 virus. NGS is the current gold standard for genotyping of SARS-CoV-2; however, it is not feasible to genotype samples in real-time on a population-wide scale. RT-qPCR assays could provide an alternative approach that supplements NGS surveillance activities with its ability to genotype all SARS-CoV-2 cases on the day that it is detected. However, it is time-consuming to develop new assays for each emerging mutation, leading to potential delays in surveillance. The Pyrosequencing method presents a cost-effective solution and makes it easier to design new assays for emerging variants.

Bioinformatics analysis of SARS-CoV-2 with QIAGEN Digital Insights

To support the efforts of clinical microbiology and public health laboratories involved in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing, QIAGEN offers free temporary licenses to QIAGEN CLC Genomics and QIAGEN Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) bioinformatics software. In addition, until June 30, 2021 we are offering labs that purchase the QIAseq SARS-CoV-2 Primer Panel Kit (96) a 25% discount off any 1-year subscription to QIAGEN CLC Genomics bioinformatics software.

Additionally, our data scientists have expanded upon recent peer-reviewed research to generate relevant SARS-CoV-2 protein networks. This freely available Coronavirus Network Explorer helps you visualize how SARS-CoV-2 proteins interact with human host proteins to disable protective responses and pathways, and explore hypotheses around ways to fight coronavirus. 

Maximize insights from SARS-CoV-2 T cell immune response

T cells are increasingly recognized for their role in SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunity, and the exploration of immune response markers during COVID-19 infection is becoming the next tool for researching potential improvements in patient management and vaccination guidance in the future.

The QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 RUO solution uses a combination of antigens specific to SARS-CoV-2 to stimulate lymphocytes in heparinized whole blood. Plasma from the stimulated samples can be used for detection of cytokines, including IFN-γ.