Cepheid awarded patents for ultrasonic lysis and sample preparation technology.Cepheid (Sunnyvale, CA) has been issued United States Patent 6,878,540 entitled "Device for Lysing Cells, Spores Spores A state of "suspended animation" that some bacteria can adopt when conditions are not ideal for growth. Spores are analogous to plant seeds and can germinate into growing bacteria when conditions are right. , or Microorganisms", United States Patent 6,881,541 entitled "Method for Analyzing a Fluid Sample", and United States Patent 6,887,693 entitled "Device and Method for Lysing Cells, Spores, or Microorganisms". The three patents cover devices and methods for sample preparation including the extraction of nucleic acid nucleic acid, any of a group of organic substances found in the chromosomes of living cells and viruses that play a central role in the storage and replication of hereditary information and in the expression of this information through protein synthesis. from a fluid sample using ultrasonic lysis lysis /ly·sis/ (li´sis) 1. destruction or decomposition, as of a cell or other substance, under influence of a specific agent. 2. mobilization of an organ by division of restraining adhesions. 3. of cells. Cepheid has incorporated this technology into its GeneXpert system to provide rapid and effective preparation of nucleic acid samples that may then be used for genetic analysis and detection of microorganisms. "Efficient lysis and recovery of nucleic acids Nucleic acids The cellular molecules DNA and RNA that act as coded instructions for the production of proteins and are copied for transmission of inherited traits. from a variety of specimen types is one of the most challenging steps in the molecular detection of microorganisms. The ultrasonic lysis method developed by Cepheid elegantly addresses these problems, even for the most recalcitrant target organisms such as mycobacteria mycobacteria members of the genus Mycobacterium. anonymous mycobacteria see opportunist (atypical) mycobacteria (below). nontubercular mycobacteria see opportunist (atypical) mycobacteria (below). , staphylococci staph·y·lo·coc·cus n. pl. staph·y·lo·coc·ci A spherical gram-positive parasitic bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus, usually occurring in grapelike clusters and causing boils, septicemia, and other infections. , and bacterial spores. The sensitivity and reliability of this approach has been validated in over 1.7 million anthrax detection cartridges used to date in the screening of over 27 billion pieces of mail by the United States Post Office," said David H. Persing, Chief Medical and Technology Officer at Cepheid. The sample preparation technology covered by the patents provides several key advantages for extracting nucleic acid from a sample, including (1) concentration of the cells in the sample to be lysed on a solid phase material, such as a filter; and (2) highly effective ultrasonic lysis of the concentrated cells. The benefit of the concentration of cells combined with ultrasonic lysis is increased sensitivity when testing for DNA sequences that may be present in a fluid sample in only very small quantities. This technology is now being utilized in the development of clinical diagnostic tests for infectious diseases and cancer. Cepheid is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of fully integrated systems that enable genetic assessment when and where it is needed. Founded in 1996, the company is commercializing its technology and products worldwide for research, medical, and industrial applications requiring assessment of the human genome, infectious disease Infectious disease A pathological condition spread among biological species. Infectious diseases, although varied in their effects, are always associated with viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites and aberrant proteins known as prions. and biothreat agents. Cepheid +1-408-541-4191 |
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