Leveraging their respective DoD funding can help expedite the development and testing of new identification and diagnostic assays and products against conventional biothreat agents and emerging and genetically engineered pathogens.
SAIC has developed a genome assay and data mining tools that identify genomic sequences that are unique to specific microbial biothreat agents.
Dr. R. Paul Schaudies, SAIC Vice President of Chemical and Biological Defense, explained, "By combining the bioinformatics of our proprietary Fast Identification of Unique Genomic Regions (FIGUR) software with a highly-multiplexed microarray we can hopefully make false positive readings a thing of the past. Protocols and procedures, along with microarrays, will be transferred to government laboratories for independent validation."
CombiMatrix has developed a microarray platform, based upon complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Through proprietary instrumentation and probe design software, CombiMatrix can produce single or multiple microarrays with unique DNA sequences on each of its 12,000 features.
This gives the customer a rapid and versatile approach to defining and changing microarray array content. Under the DoD contract, CombiMatrix is developing electrochemical detection as an alternative to the current use of large and expensive optical readers and dyes used in fluorescence detection.
"We are pleased to be working with SAIC towards a common goal that will benefit the DoD and our nation," said Dr. David Danley, Director of Homeland Security and Defense Programs for CombiMatrix. "This effort allows us to leverage our DoD resources using proven assays and technologies. When we have completed development of electrochemical detection, we will then be able to move genomic assays out of the lab and into the field."