An Austin, Texas, based company, Nano Science Diagnostics (NSD), has developed technology which can provide food distributors and public health authorities a potent tool to control the spread of e-coli as well as other nasty pathogens which could contaminate common food products. The technology was created during the course of research conducted by Dr. Su Dwarakanath for the United States Army which was looking for a way to detect very quickly anthrax in extremely low concentrations in public spaces such as a building.
Nano Science Diagnostics Inc. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2006
September 18, 2006
TEXAS COMPANY’S RAPID DETECTION TECHNOLGY OFFERS SOLUTION TO CONTROL SPREAD OF E–COLI
An Austin, Texas, based company, Nano Science Diagnostics (NSD), has developed technology which can provide food distributors and public health authorities a potent tool to control the spread of e-coli as well as other nasty pathogens which could contaminate common food products. The technology was created during the course of research conducted by Dr. Su Dwarakanath for the United States Army which was looking for a way to detect very quickly anthrax in extremely low concentrations in public spaces such as a building. Anthrax, like e-coli, is also a bacterium; but it is a far deadlier one. Bacteria are prevalent everywhere and, in extremely low concentrations, they pose no danger. But above a certain threshold, which can vary with each bacterium, they can be a significant threat to health and even life.
There are many tests available to detect bacteria. But in order to detect bacteria, a contaminated sample must be cultured in a laboratory setting – and culturing takes at least 24 hours. There is no known scientific method to expedite this process. Alternatively, there is a culture/PCR test. PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction and is a technique used to amplify the DNA of the bacteria. This test takes about 8hrs and involves fairly expensive laboratory instrumentation. If, on the other hand, a simple, inexpensive hand held instrument can detect bacteria in 15 minutes, such tests could be conducted more frequently, and as a matter of routine in a variety of locations and distribution points, thus ensuring complete safety of the nations food supply. The technology to do this is now here.
NSD’s technology has not only passed all sorts of rigorous testing, it is also far more sensitive than other 8 hour culture/PCR tests in the market. As a practical matter, the 8 hour turnaround time for even the culture/PCR test often results in a day’s delay to review test results. NSD is now in the process of converting its lab based test into an easy to use electronic instrument. The adaptation of a scientific discovery involving nanoparticles into a convenient, hand held instrument is no mean feat. But Dr. Dwarakanath did not have to go far to find this critical expertise. Her husband, Sri Satyanarayana, has a Ph.D. in microelectronics; she has a doctorate in molecular biology. Together, they have created a prototype diagnostic kit and low-cost portable instrument and their company is now in the testing mode. Sri functions as CEO of NSD while his wife is the Chief Scientific Officer.
Testing food for harmful pathogens is just one part of what this new nanotechnology based test can achieve. The basic technology can also be used to rapidly diagnose a variety of medical problems from bacterial infection to malignant tumors and contagious diseases. As of now, the company has completed work to detect food pathogens such as e-coli, salmonella, and listeria and a few other viral and protein markers. The medical area holds great promise since a 15 minute diagnostic test can be completed in the doctor’s office, and the patient does not have to wait for a day or sometimes longer for results to come back from a lab. This not only relieves patient anxiety but treatment can also begin sooner if there is a problem. Another interesting feature of NSD’s technology is that it not only detects viruses or bacteria if they are present but it can, unlike virtually all laboratory based tests today, quantify the extent of the viral or bacterial infection. Hence, a mild infection need not be treated with aggressively high dosages of medication and vice versa.
The Company is willing to demonstrate the 15 minute test for e-coli to media representatives or public health authorities. Su and Sri say with one voice: “Seeing is believing. We have worked long and hard to get here. Now we are ready to take off. And we are glad to have created a product which will deliver significant benefits to many people.”
For further information, please contact:
Sri Satanayarana
Founder, CEO
Nano Science Diagnostics, Inc
1826 Kramer Lane, Suite E
Austin, TX 78758
Tel: 512 873 9620
Fax: 512 532 6142
sri@nanosciencediagnostics.com
There are many tests available to detect bacteria. But in order to detect bacteria, a contaminated sample must be cultured in a laboratory setting – and culturing takes at least 24 hours. There is no known scientific method to expedite this process. Alternatively, there is a culture/PCR test. PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction and is a technique used to amplify the DNA of the bacteria. This test takes about 8hrs and involves fairly expensive laboratory instrumentation. If, on the other hand, a simple, inexpensive hand held instrument can detect bacteria in 15 minutes, such tests could be conducted more frequently, and as a matter of routine in a variety of locations and distribution points, thus ensuring complete safety of the nations food supply. The technology to do this is now here.
NSD’s technology has not only passed all sorts of rigorous testing, it is also far more sensitive than other 8 hour culture/PCR tests in the market. As a practical matter, the 8 hour turnaround time for even the culture/PCR test often results in a day’s delay to review test results. NSD is now in the process of converting its lab based test into an easy to use electronic instrument. The adaptation of a scientific discovery involving nanoparticles into a convenient, hand held instrument is no mean feat. But Dr. Dwarakanath did not have to go far to find this critical expertise. Her husband, Sri Satyanarayana, has a Ph.D. in microelectronics; she has a doctorate in molecular biology. Together, they have created a prototype diagnostic kit and low-cost portable instrument and their company is now in the testing mode. Sri functions as CEO of NSD while his wife is the Chief Scientific Officer.
Testing food for harmful pathogens is just one part of what this new nanotechnology based test can achieve. The basic technology can also be used to rapidly diagnose a variety of medical problems from bacterial infection to malignant tumors and contagious diseases. As of now, the company has completed work to detect food pathogens such as e-coli, salmonella, and listeria and a few other viral and protein markers. The medical area holds great promise since a 15 minute diagnostic test can be completed in the doctor’s office, and the patient does not have to wait for a day or sometimes longer for results to come back from a lab. This not only relieves patient anxiety but treatment can also begin sooner if there is a problem. Another interesting feature of NSD’s technology is that it not only detects viruses or bacteria if they are present but it can, unlike virtually all laboratory based tests today, quantify the extent of the viral or bacterial infection. Hence, a mild infection need not be treated with aggressively high dosages of medication and vice versa.
The Company is willing to demonstrate the 15 minute test for e-coli to media representatives or public health authorities. Su and Sri say with one voice: “Seeing is believing. We have worked long and hard to get here. Now we are ready to take off. And we are glad to have created a product which will deliver significant benefits to many people.”
For further information, please contact:
Sri Satanayarana
Founder, CEO
Nano Science Diagnostics, Inc
1826 Kramer Lane, Suite E
Austin, TX 78758
Tel: 512 873 9620
Fax: 512 532 6142
sri@nanosciencediagnostics.com
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