Armored Molecular Controls Best Practices

Armored Molecular Control technology involves encapsulating specific nucleic acid targets within a bacteriophage protein coat to create a virus-like particle resistant to nuclease degradation. They can be used to monitor the entire molecular testing workflow as extraction controls, process quality controls, or positive diagnostic reference controls. The RNA or DNA can be extracted from the viral coat protein either by extracting alongside test specimens or by incubating at 75^°C for 3-5 minutes to release the nucleic acid from the particles.