Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) is one of the most frequently mentioned word during the epidemic prevention and control period. There are a group of backstage fighters in Xiangtan Central Hospital who are far from crowd and close to the virus. They are working in the private NAT lab and screen the SARS-CoV-2 with discretion.

The molecular biology lab is located at the fourth floor of impatient building, Huijing Campus, Xiangtan Central Hospital. Conspicuous warnings slogan such as “Biohazard” and “No entrance into controlled area without permission” are printed on the entrance door. It is not allowed to enter the lab without wearing prevention clothes. There are workbench and around eight rooms behind the door. Today we are going to explore the molecular biology lab.

The process of NAT includes accepting samples, hyperthermia inactivation, nucleic acid extraction, Quantitative Real-time PCR, result interpretation, result publication and waste dealing. Pictures below are showing each step in order.

Accepting samples

Hyperthermia inactivation

Nucleic acid extraction

Quantitative Real-time PCR

As we can see from the result, the yellow line represents endogenous reference gen, which indicates the qualified extraction and normal testing of the sample. If there are blue or green amplification curves, it means a positive Covid-19 sample.