[daemonk]

Cool technique that uses existing Sanger sequencing equipment that has been optimized for decades. So you are sanger sequencing the loci + a synthetic frame-shifted oligo that you spike in. Then you essentially "demultiplex" the chromatogram knowing the two molecules are frame-shifted and compare the peaks to get a relative measure.

I guess the trick is to find a loci that is specific enough to covid-19, but can still produce a good frame-shifted oligo that allows you to maximize the resulting chromatogram signal.

I am surprised that the detection limit of a no-extraction PCR can be this sensitive. But it looks like the data checks out. Does this work for every type of sample? I would assume differing buffers, collection methods will influence the PCR?