The Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory (SDCL) of Canada has deployed BioMark HD technology developed by US-based Fluidigm for its laboratory in Regina.
SDCL, which is operated by the province’s Ministry of Health, plans to use its real-time PCR based tests in conjunction with the BioMark HD system to quickly identify pathogens.
The unique set of PCR-based tests was developed by the laboratory to detect a wide range of respiratory and enteric diseases, such as influenza, norovirus and salmonella.
Fluidigm said its distinctive microfluidic-based integrated fluidic circuits (IFCs) have been integrated with the BioMark HD system to quickly complete up to 9,216 tests in parallel, within hours of receiving the sample from the clinic.
Fluidigm president and chief executive officer Gajus Worthington said superbugs have emerged over the past few years, compelling disease control labs to play a critical role in keeping people safe.
"New strains of influenza and emerging diseases require outstanding science, rapid response and a willingness to embrace the best technology the world has to offer," Worthington said.
"Fluidigm is excited to be working with the SDCL as it implements some of the world’s most advanced science in the rapid detection of potentially dangerous diseases."
Using nanofluidic technology, the system is said to perform high-throughput real-time PCR, thereby enabling scientists to collect data points per day more than the conventional PCR systems and at less cost.
The system also reduces the liquid handling steps involved in executing complex genetic analysis of biological samples, and helps researchers study differential expression of tissues with the desired data quality.
Fluidigm said the system can use a wide variety of sample types and multiple chemistry options as well as being capable of genotyping, digital PCR and mutation detection.
