PositiveID and seqID Conduct Pilot Study Using Firefly Dx Prototype for GMO Detection for Agricultural Market
GlobeNewswire•September 20, 2016
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. and TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PositiveID Corporation (“PositiveID” or “Company”) (PSID), a life sciences company focused on detection and diagnostics, announced today that it is conducting a pilot study with seqID inc using PositiveID’s Firefly Dx polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) breadboard prototype pathogen detection system (“prototype system”) to detect genetically modified organisms (“GMOs”) for the agricultural market.
The goal of the pilot study with seqID is to demonstrate that Firefly Dx can successfully detect the 35S promoter gene in samples of GMO corn and soy beans. It is estimated that 80 percent of all GMO plants contain this gene and it is considered a hallmark of GMOs.
The application of using Firefly Dx to detect genetically modified corn and soybeans in a semi-quantitative analysis has significant potential value at seaports where corn and soybeans are being shipped to countries that limit the percentage of GMOs in the shipment that may be imported. Currently, all such sampling and testing is conducted in a centralized laboratory and may take as long as two weeks, potentially delaying shipment. Firefly Dx would allow a laboratory grade result within 30 minutes at “dock side,” thereby greatly speeding up the shipment time.
PositiveID is developing the Firefly Dx prototype system to be a handheld, fully automated, lab quality, real-time device able to detect pathogens at the point of need. A design advantage of Firefly Dx is that it does not require additional equipment or separate steps for sample preparation and purification, unlike current lab-based equipment, thus reducing time to results as well as cost per test. Firefly's applications include point-of-need, lab-quality, detection of pathogenic organisms; agricultural and food screening in both domestic sectors and developing countries; and detection of biological agents associated with weapons of mass destruction.
“This is yet another example of the broad potential applications and large markets that could be better served with a rapid, point-of-need detection system like Firefly Dx,” stated William J. Caragol, Chairman and CEO of PositiveID. “From protecting first responders, rapidly identifying hospital-acquired infections, accurately detecting emerging bio-threats in remote areas, and improving the safety of the food we eat, we believe Firefly Dx has the ability revolutionize the biological testing market.”
The global market for food-safety testing is projected to reach $19.7 billion by 2018, according to a report from Global Industry Analysts (GIA). GMO testing represents the fastest-growing segment in the global food-safety testing market.
