Portable device for simultaneous detections of multiplepathogenic species in marine aquaculture operations

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT: HJ Science & Technology, Inc. proposes an integrated and portable microfluidic automation technology capable of rapid and simultaneous detections of multiple pathogen species in marine aquaculture operations with a total “end-to-end” analysis time of under one hour. Specifically, we apply our patented microfluidic automation technology as a platform to two well established laboratory-based pathogen separation and detection methods: immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and multiplexing quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). By integrating IMS and multiplexing qPCR and including automated sample loading and viability assay into a microfluidic format, we can perform rapid and on-site pathogen detections in the marine aquaculture environment with sensitivity and specificity that are currently only achievable with laboratory-based manually performed procedures. As such, our portable detection platform offers several important advantages over existing pathogen detection technologies, including reduction in assay time and reduced costs of equipment and reagents. Critically, this technology provides real-time data for efficient and timely decision-making, thereby greatly benefitting the United State aquaculture industry. In Phase I, we will establish the technical feasibility of the proposed technology by detecting pathogenic Vibrio species. In Phase II, we will build a prototype to be delivered to NOAA as a field deployable functional unit.SUMMARY OF ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The proposed technology will be useful to a wide range of users including marine resource managers, environmental monitoring entities, aquaculturist, and fisheries. In addition, the proposed technology has significant potential to transition rapidly to the commercial sectors including detection of bacteria and pathogens in food and water supply.