Veredus Laboratories based out of Singapore has launched what they have called as the world’s first ,biological test that integrates  PCR and Microarray in one single platform.

VereFlu chip is designed to detect Influenza types A and B. The test is designed to be conducted at the point of care. Which means the portabale and auotmated system can be used beyond laboratories and hospitals to clinics, airports, border checkpoints and even the home.

The device, which functions as a mini laboratory on a chip, can screen and identify multiple classes of pathogens and genes in a single diagnostic test within two hours, unlike the usual days or weeks to obtain results.

The project was result of the joined efforts of National University Hospital of Singapore, Veredus Laboratories and STMicroelectronics.

One of most ambitious project I tried in of my previous job role was a project to design a microarray to detect genetically modified cotton. But the project never materialized due to cost and other technical issues.

But Jonathan Allen, Shea Gardner and Tom Slezak of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, is on the trail of designing a bioassay using microarrays to see if it can spot genetically modified DNA in a sample containing a mixture of natural and modified bacteria. More new on the their discovery of a computational tool and other details are available at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory website

Also take a look at the following study published in May 2007 

Microarray Blog

April 1st, 2008 1 Comment

Earlier posts of Microarray Blog is available at microarray.wordpress.com