Using Recombinase Polymerase Amplification to Overcome Yam Mosaic Virus

This video describes the development of a prototype RT-exoRPA assay for Yam Mosaic Virus (YMV) by Dr Goncalo Silva, Dr Susan Seal and colleagues at the University of Greenwich’s Natural Resources Institute. In the video, Dr Goncalo Silva discusses his reasons for using RPA (Recombinase Polymerase Amplification) in this research, which include the small number of primers required and the high level of sensitivity even when polysaccharides contaminate the sample. The research, which is receiving funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is hoped to help farmers in West Africa to ensure that yam can be propagated free from YMV.