Rapid PCR Test for Biologic Agents

A line of DNA detection systems, designed for both laboratory and field testing, enables rapid sample analysis of biologic agents by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), providing results in as little as 20 minutes. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA) has developed and validated test kits for several biologic agents optimized for use on this line, called Smart Cycler.

The CDC is providing the test reagents to the Laboratory Response Network (LRN), comprising US state and local public health and military laboratories. The LRN provides nationwide screening and reference testing capabilities to respond to a bioterrorism event.
PCR is one of the most sensitive and accurate methods of identifying a biologic agent such as anthrax, detecting trace levels of the target organism's DNA in a short time. The Smart Cycler was developed by Cepheid (Sunnyvale, CA, USA).

In a related development, Cepheid has recently granted Environmental Technologies Group Inc. (ETG, Baltimore, MD, USA) a worldwide, nonexclusive sublicense to key patents for the development of rapid, handheld DNA analysis systems for the detection of biologic agents. Cepheid will receive royalties on ETG sales and retains rights to commercialize the handheld systems for all other DNA testing applications.

"With this license from Cepheid, ETG will bring the first handheld, real-time PCR detection instrument to market,” said Rick Thomas, president of ETG. The company is part of Smiths Aerospace Detection & Protection Systems along with Graseby Dynamics Ltd. in the United Kingdom. The new device will simultaneously test up to six samples, each for two different DNA targets, and report results in as little as 15 minutes. The device will be designed for military use and emergency response, in a variety of field-testing applications where speed and portability are critical.




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