The emergence of COVID-19 generated an immediate global requirement for large quantities of high-performance oligonucleotides to support RT-qPCR diagnostic testing. Primers and probes must meet stringent quality and consistency standards to ensure assay sensitivity and reliability, particularly when deployed at unprecedented scale. This white paper examines the design considerations, synthesis strategies, and quality controls required for the rapid production of diagnostic-grade oligonucleotides during a public-health emergency. Key topics addressed include:
- Scalable oligonucleotide synthesis workflows
- Primer and probe quality control requirements
- Reducing bottlenecks with parallel evaporation
- Flexible sample formats and holders
- Technology features that protect samples during evaporation
By outlining scalable manufacturing approaches and analytical validation methods, LGC Biosearch Technologies demonstrates how robust oligonucleotide supply chains can be established to support reliable molecular diagnostics under extreme demand. Part 2 will discuss downstream purification, quality control, and workflow optimization challenges.