IDT and Ubiquitome to develop mobile Ebola test
Nucleic acid supplier Integrated DNA Technologies, alongside PCR device developer Ubiquitome, will develop the Ubiquitome Freedom4 Real-Time RT-PCR Ebola Virus Assay for easy use in the field. Testing of the device will be conducted by non-profit R&D organisation Battelle in Maryland, USA.
IDT is leveraging its PrimeTime qPCR Assay platform to develop an assay that will provide accurate and consistent test results for the Ebola virus. The rapid test is designed to be run on Ubiquitome’s real-time PCR device, the Freedom4.
Fitting in the palm of a hand, the Freedom4 operates on battery power alone for up to 6 h and delivers real-time PCR performance wherever needed. The platform runs using an iPhone or laptop computer, is housed in a rugged aluminium casing and features a solid-state design that includes laser-based optical detection.
Ubiquitome CEO Paul Pickering said the assay “will allow rapid, accurate field testing of Ebola virus disease. This is important because regions affected by this disease are often far from an established laboratory.” ICT Chief Commercial Officer Stephen Gunstream added that the test will “enable early detection and help control the spread of this devastating disease”.
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