Proteome-based diagnostic has crop, human applications

A diagnostic tool for measuring damage to wheat within three minutes has been developed by Sydney-based biotechnology company Proteome Systems, in collaboration with C-Qentec Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Aventis Crop Science Pty Ltd.

C-Qentec general manager Bruce Howie said the new tool was an improved version of the company's WheatRite diagnostic.

"We needed to address the issues of speed and simplicity," Howie said. "There are a large number of opportunities for this proteome technology to be used for agriculture tests for quality attributes and pesticide contamination..

"Proteome Systems' technology and their expertise in membrane printing made this possible, and the first product should be available mid-year."

The companies said WheatRite could save Australian wheat growers up to several million dollars a year, which is often lost through weather-damaged crops.

Proteome Systems said the new diagnostic paved the way for the company to enter the diagnostic market.

Dr Andrew Gooley, Proteome Systems' chief scientist, said the platform technology behind WheatRite would be suitable for infectious disease monitoring, as well as in the bio-agricultural area for testing wheat quality and barley.

Gooley explained that the technology was based on an immunodiagnostic principal, "where we use a quantitative technology for micro-dispensing the immunodiagnostic and count how much is laid down."

Howie said that the technology now allowed C-Qentec to explore opportunities in medical diagnostics.

"It gives us access to some sophisticated technologies that may not be developed in the lower market, agriculture," he said.

A qualitative analysis of wheat is critical for wheat millers who need to differentiate between premium and lower quality wheat grain. Japanese noodles, for example, are made from premium quality wheat whilst the lower grade wheat is used for biscuits and bread. Such analysis is also important for farmers who need to test the quality of wheat in each paddock so that they do not contaminate the high-quality crops with the weather-damaged crop. Mixing them can lower the overall quality of the wheat and reduce its value.

The diagnostic test is for the enzyme amylase, which is released by the wheat grain in rain damage. Amylase is released naturally for the seed germination process.

"The improved technology brings the assay into modern units of enzyme activity," Gooley said. Rather than the old Elisa assay it brings the assay into a solid phase, dealing with nanolitres of liquid instead of millilitres.

"The big difference is the (new diagnostic)allows the test to be quantitative, not just qualitative," he said.