ZyGEM Corp Ltd, introduces several developments supporting the advancement of its integrated microfluidics platform designed to dramatically decrease the time, complexity, and cost of conducting DNA testing. These include presentations at two key scientific meetings, as well as the issuance of a new patent relating to separation technology that supports and further strengthens ZyGEM’s intellectual property portfolio.
"These scientific presentations highlighting how our innovative microfluidics system works and validating its tremendous performance advantages are helping to build interest in our unique approach," said Paul Kinnon, president and CEO of ZyGEM. "We look forward to sharing additional data with researchers and potential customers as we progress toward beta system placements in the coming months."
At the 21st International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI), researchers from ZyGEM’s MicroLab unit and the company’s collaborators presented three sets of studies illustrating how the component elements of the prototype RapI.D.™ system act to speed the DNA analysis process. RapI.D., which ZyGEM is developing in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, leverages MicroLab’s advanced microfluidic research to accelerate the DNA identification process—essentially building a laboratory on a microfluidic chip that dramatically reduces the processing steps, time and effort needed for analysis.
Dr. James Landers, chief scientific officer of ZyGEM, noted, "It is gratifying to have the opportunity to present data on our revolutionary DNA analysis platform to scientists on the front lines of using DNA to fight crime and improve the criminal justice system. Their feedback has been invaluable and their enthusiasm for the unprecedented capabilities of our technology reinforces our goal of proceeding to commercialization as soon as feasible."
Separately, ZyGEM reported that U.S. Patent Number 7,815,802 was issued on October 19, 2010 to the University of Virginia Patent Foundation. The patent, which is exclusively licensed to ZyGEM, covers important aspects of the fabrication of silica-based phases in microfluidic systems, which uses a process known as photo-polymerization that can be derivatized to efficiently extract DNA from samples.
Landers added, "This new patent further reinforces the strong intellectual property portfolio we have created to protect the novel microfluidics technology at the heart of our rapid detection system. It also complements the patents that ZyGEM has obtained for its unique thermophilic enzymes that are of utility both for our integrated microfluidics platform and for other life sciences and industrial applications."
Source: ZyGEM Corporation
