Introducing
BioFlash®,
a rapid diagnostic system for the
ultra-sensitive detection of pathogens.
Technology Overview:
The BioFlash®
system is based on the CANARY® (Cellular Analysis and Notification of Antigen Risks and Yields) technology,
a revolutionary diagnostic technology
developed by the scientists at Massachusetts
Institute of Technology and recently
published in Science.BioFlash® delivers extremely
rapid detection of pathogens at previously
unseen levels of sensitivity and specificity.
Accurate results can be obtained in
less than 3 minutes by non-expert
users.
FIG. 1 — CANARY®
Sensor Concept
The patented, self-contained
system consists of engineered biosensors
expressing membrane bound, pathogen-specific
antibodies and a calcium sensitive
bioluminescent molecule. Cross-linking
of the antibodies by even minute amounts
of the specific pathogen leads to
elevation of intracellular calcium
and light emission (FIG.1). The amplified
light output is detected using an
easy-to-use luminometer.
RAPID,
ULTRA-SENSITIVE TEST
- Ultra-sensitive detection of
pathogens in less than 3 minutes.
- Combination of speed and sensitivity
unmatched by current methods.
EASY TO USE
- Simple protocol requiring minimal
instrumentation and training.
HIGHLY-SPECIFIC DETECTION
- Validated high-fidelity detection
of pathogens.
- PCR-like signal amplification
and sensitivity.
The combination
of speed and sensitivity of the BioFlash®
system is unmatched by other methods such
as immunoassays and PCR. Rapid immunoassays
require at least 15 minutes, but have a
much higher limit of detection. Ultra-fast PCR still requires at least 30
minutes of sample preparation, notwithstanding
PCR contamination issues.For example, the BioFlash® system
offers detection down to 50 colony forming
units (cfu) of pathogenic Escherichia
coli O157:H7 without cross-reaction
with normal E. coli strains (FIG.2). These results compare very favorably
with publications describing the use of
PCR to detect bacteria in food (LOD of 10-10,000
cfu/g without overnight culture as an enrichment
step).
FIG. 2 — BioFlash® Readout
Automatic sample collection and analysis: The BioFlash-E™ biological aerosol collection and analysis is a very rapid process (FIG. 3) and is accomplished in less than 3 minutes.
FIG. 3 — Automated assay process for biological aerosol samples
Instrumentation: The BioFlash-E™
Biological Identifier is a portable device occupying approximately one cubic foot and is simple to use.
Rider
et al. (2003). B Cell-based sensor
for rapid identification of pathogens. Science, 301:213-215.
Rowe et al.
(1999). Array biosensor for simultaneous
identification of bacterial, viral,
and protein analytes. Anal.
Chem., 71: 3846-3852.
Belgrader
et al. (2003). A reusable flow-through
polymerase chain reaction instrument
for the continuous monitoring
of infectious biological agents. Anal. Chem., 75: 3446-3450.
Pourahmadi et al. (2000). Toward
a rapid, integrated, and fully
automated DNA diagnostic assay
for chlamydia trachomatis and
neisseria gonorrhea Clin.
Chem., 46: 1511-1513.
—
For research use only. Not for use
in diagnostic procedures. —
