VERSANT kPCR Molecular System for respiratory testing

A considerable increase in testing for respiratory pathogens as a result of the COVID-19 global health crisis has been experienced by molecular laboratories.

High testing demands need adaptable and automated platforms to allow laboratories to fulfill respiratory testing requirements during the pandemic and for regular testing during the flu season.

The VERSANT^® kPCR Molecular System for PCR testing offers true molecular testing versatility. The VERSANT kPCR Molecular System provides precise and trustworthy outcomes with utmost flexibility and productivity. It also allows molecular laboratories to fulfill rising difficulties as well as regular needs in molecular diagnostic testing.

The VERSANT kPCR Molecular System, together with the VERSANT Sample Preparation 1.0 Reagents Kit, has been confirmed for use with the FTD SARS-CoV-2 Assay. This complete solution has one of the least limits of detection (LoD; sensitivity) when compared to other COVID-19 PCR tests.

Image Credit: Siemens Healthineers

Features and benefits

The VERSANT^® kPCR Molecular System consists of two separate benchtop instruments, each with an individual PC workstation:

• The VERSANT kPCR Molecular System SP is available for sample extraction and PCR plate setup
• The VERSANT kPCR Molecular System AD comes for PCR cycling and results analysis and reporting

This design enables the effective use of laboratory space, as the instruments could be configured for either one- or two-room operations.

VERSANT kPCR Molecular System SP

Automated extraction of high-quality nucleic acids from specimens

• While using the VERSANT Sample Preparation 1.0 Reagents Kit, the VERSANT kPCR Molecular System SP separates RNA and DNA from an extensive range of respiratory specimen types, which include nasopharyngeal swabs, nasal swabs, nasopharyngeal wash/aspirate, oropharyngeal swabs, or nasal aspirate as well as bronchoalveolar lavage.
• The system houses specimen types like serum, urine, plasma, and stool.
• A universal extraction protocol and reagents enable the integration of various sample types in a separate batch run.
• Run capacity varies from 1 to 96 samples per batch.

Image Credit: Siemens Healthineers

Optimized workflow options

• The system provides six extraction protocols with different sample input and eluate output volumes.
• Open DAP protocols come with laboratory-developed and third-party assays.
• A validated Dynamic Assay Preparation (DAP) protocol available for the FTD SARS-CoV-2 Assay integrates extraction and PCR plate setup.
• Eluate storage option helps save the eluates on an individual PCR plate for additional testing (for example, for reflex testing).
• Eluate splitting, rather than sample splitting, offers a standardized eluate for use in several assays, ranging up to six PCR master mixes from a single specimen on one PCR plate.
• An independent automated PCR plate setup from the eluate storage plate is available.

Accurate sample identification

• System tracks sample ID from primary tube to outcome.
• Instrument sample carriers are compatible with a range of primary sample tube types and sizes.

Effective performance with built-in contamination controls

• Air displacement pipetting (ADP)
• CO-RE tip technology^‡ (compressed O-ring expansion)
• Disposable and filtered pipette tips
• Anti-droplet control (ADC)^‡
• Precise liquid delivery with special total aspiration and dispense monitoring (TADM) technology^‡

VERSANT kPCR Molecular System AD

• Decoupled, six-color filter set that supports a variety of dyes:

• FAM
• ABY
• NED
• TAMRA
• JUN
• ROX
• Cy5
• SYBR Green
• VIC
• MUSTANG PURPLE

• Six programmable VeriFlex Zones offer separate temperature zones for improved functionality and accurate control over the real-time PCR.
• Assists custom dyes that stimulate between 455 and 672 nm and emit between 505 and 723 nm.
• Software options available for PCR run preparation and execution, data analysis, and reporting: QS5 DX software or VERSANT MiPLX Software Solution.

Image Credit: Siemens Healthineers

Assays

FTD SARS-CoV-2 Assay

The FTD SARS-CoV-2 Assay, a real-time PCR test utilized to detect the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 accountable for COVID-19, could be automated on the VERSANT^® kPCR Molecular System.

Image Credit: Siemens Healthineers

FTD SARS-CoV-2/FIuA/FIuB/HRSV Assay

The FTD SARS-CoV-2/FIuA/FIuB/HRSV Assay, a real-time PCR test used to detect SARS-CoV-2, Flu A, Flu B, and HRSV from one sample eluate, could be automated on the VERSANT^® kPCR Molecular System.

Image Credit: Siemens Healthineers

VERSANT Sample Preparation 1.0 Reagents Kit

• The VERSANT Sample Preparation 1.0 Reagents Kit employs Siemens Healthineers nanobead-based extraction technology to effectively separate high-quality RNA from upper respiratory specimens.
• This single and universal extraction kit draws high-quality RNA and DNA from an extensive range of other specimen types.

Image Credit: Siemens Healthineers

Technical specifications

VERSANT kPCR Molecular System

Table 1. Source: Siemens Healthineers

VERSANT kPCR Molecular System SP

Table 2. Source: Siemens Healthineers

VERSANT kPCR Molecular System AD

Table 3. Source: Siemens Healthineers