Abstract: A magnetic bead based nucleic acid extraction system includes a plurality of magnetic beads and an alcohol-free buffer system. The alcohol-free buffer system includes a lysis binding buffer, a first wash buffer, a second wash buffer, and an elution buffer that are stable in storage at room temperature. The buffers include a special selection of chaotropic salt, detergent, precipitant and other necessary components for ideal extraction of nucleic acids. The magnetic bead based nucleic acid extraction system is stable, user-friendly and environment-friendly, efficient and efficacious nucleic acid extraction system optimal for pathogens from swab samples, and can achieve efficient both DNA and RNA extractions, be it separately or simultaneously, from both virus and bacteria in swab samples.

Abstract: A sample pretreatment kit for detecting virus infectivity includes a photoactivatable dye capable of intercalating into a nucleic acid, and a nuclease capable of degrading the nucleic acid. The photoactivatable dye includes PMA dye, PMAxx dye, EMA, platinum compounds, or palladium compounds. The method for detecting virus infectivity includes steps of: (a) dividing a clinical sample into a test sample and a control sample; (b) treating the test sample with a photoactivatable dye and a nuclease; (c) exposing the test sample to a light for photoactivation; (d) amplifying a target nucleic acid in the test sample and the control sample; and (e) determining virus infectivity based on amplification results of the test sample and the control sample.

Abstract: A method for detecting infectivity of a human coronavirus is provided. The method includes steps of: (a) dividing a testing sample into a first sample and a second sample; (b) treating the first sample with an intercalating dye or chemical; (c) exposing the first sample to a light for photo-activation; (d) amplifying targeted nucleic acids in the first sample and the second sample; and (e) determining infectivity of the human coronavirus based on amplification results of the first sample and the second sample.