Phthisis Diagnostics Launches New Kit For Faster Stool DNA Extraction For Molecular Diagnostics
E-Sphere Stool DNA Extraction Kit for clinical laboratories raises the bar for efficiency using standard laboratory equipment.
Phthisis Diagnostics, a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing a range of innovative molecular diagnostics technologies, announces the introduction of its first product, the E-Sphere Stool DNA Extraction Kit. The E-Sphere Stool DNA Extraction Kit is the first product in Phthisis Diagnostics' Simply Molecular product line.
Laboratories have expressed their need for a faster, simpler method to purify genomic DNA from stool samples prior to PCR amplification and analysis. The new kit answers the market need for speed with the added benefits of accuracy, improved cost effectiveness, reduced risk of sample contamination, and greater safety for lab technicians. The process requires only standard clinical laboratory equipment.
The novel E-Sphere stool sample preparation method allows manual DNA extraction from 12 stool samples in less than 30 minutes. The streamlined process includes just 9 steps and minimizes sample contamination risk with only 2 sample transfers. Stool samples can be quickly processed within a biological safety cabinet.
"This new process provides significant time savings to clinical laboratories performing PCR analysis," explains Crystal Icenhour, Ph.D., President and Director of Research at Phthisis Diagnostics. "We have developed the fastest and easiest manual process yet for stool DNA extraction, a notoriously difficult and unpleasant sample type. The speed of our entire process is comparable to the preparation time needed for many automated extraction systems. We have made the process very easy and reliable by removing the complexity seen with older methods".
Advanced technology in the kit includes the high performance E-Sphere Stool Enzyme, a thermostable reagent that digests fecal matter at 75°C during the 15 minute incubation stage. A further innovation is the proprietary E-Sphere Clean-up Column which purifies the DNA.
Phthisis Diagnostics will present the kit for the first time in May at the American Society for Microbiology annual meeting (asm 2011 – booth #531) in New Orleans. In the meantime, Phthisis Diagnostics invites interested laboratories to inquire about special evaluation pricing on this innovative kit.
The E-Sphere Stool DNA Extraction Kit is developed and manufactured in the USA to ISO 9001 & ISO 13485 standards in a QSR & cGMP compliant facility, and is designated as a general purpose reagent.
About Phthisis Diagnostics
Phthisis (TYE-sis) Diagnostics is a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing the Simply Molecular product catalog, a range of innovative molecular products designed for speed, accuracy, and ease of use. The Simply Molecular catalog offers solutions for nucleic acid extraction, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory quality control.
Phthisis Diagnostics develops enzyme-based DNA extraction kits for rapid sample preparation prior to PCR applications in laboratories. The first product in this line will drastically reduce the time required to extract DNA from stool samples. This optimized workflow minimizes procedural steps, sample transfers, and potential for error.
Phthisis Diagnostics is also developing molecular diagnostic assays using PCR technology to detect intestinal pathogens associated with diarrheal disease, including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Microsporidia, and others. For more information, visit www.phthisisdiagnostics.com.
About Crystal Icenhour, PhD
In 2006, Crystal Icenhour, PhD, became President and Director of Research for Phthisis Diagnostics, located in Charlottesville, VA. She is also an adjunct assistant professor at Duke University Medical Center's Division of Infectious Diseases in their Department of Medicine. She has demonstrated business leadership in addition to her scientific capabilities and has expressed a goal of "bridging the translational gap between these two worlds."
She has authored seven patents, has authored and co-authored 13 research articles and theses, and has been a prolific speaker and presenter at scientific conferences. She has served on review panels for the National Science Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants. Dr. Icenhour currently serves on the board of the Virginia Biotechnology Association and on the editorial board for the Journal of Microbiological Methods. She is a member of the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council, Sigma Xi, Medical Mycology Society of the Americas, National Postdoctoral Association, and the American Society for Microbiology.
About Molecular Diagnostics
Molecular diagnostics is defined as the use of DNA, RNA, and proteins to test for specific states of health or disease. Molecular diagnostic methods have been increasingly used over the past ten years to improve the sensitivity and speed of diagnosis in infectious diseases. Although their routine use has been primarily limited to the detection of pathogens that are difficult to culture in vitro, 'real-time' methods, commercial kits, quantification, and automation will increase their use. Molecular diagnostic methods are now widely used for epidemiological fingerprinting of isolates of public health importance and increasingly being used by clinical laboratories to diagnose genetic and infectious disease.
SOURCE: Phthisis Diagnostics