A 78-sample clinical study proved the efficacy of GENE Fluidics' new biosensor for the identification of bacteria causing urinary tract infections. The microfabricated electrochemical sensor array was species-specific and could cut down the identification time to just 45 minutes, in comparison to conventional practice which takes up to 2 days.

Individual sensors on GeneFluidics' 16-sensor chips were coated with UCLA-designed species-specific genetic probes. Clinical urine samples were directly applied to the chips and the electrochemical signal subsequently measured by GeneFluidics' multi-channel reader instrument. The urinary tract infection pathogens were identified by examining which signals on the sensor chip were elevated. The entire experiment from sample collection to result read-out took only 45 minutes.

Such speedy identification of causal organism will expedite diagnosis and treatment of urintary tract infections.

GENE Fluidics engineers are currently trying to integrate the biosensors into microfluidic cartridges and build a new instrument for faster and completely automated experimentation. The team anticipates the rapid test could become available in the next two to three years.

Sources: GeneFluidics, UCLA NewsPhoto: From UCLA News, A sensor chip coated with UCLA-designed species-specific genetic probes is placed in the multi-channel reader instrument which measures electrical currents coming from sensors on the chip that detect bacteria. Credit: Reed Hutchinson