Mobile Testing Platform Performs World's Fastest Multiplex PCR and RT-PCR Analysis

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is an enzymatic amplification technique that produces a large number of identical copies of a DNA or RNA fragment and visualizes it by fluorescence. This very fast, sensitive and sequence-specific technique is much more efficient than traditional culture-based diagnostic methods, which suffer from long delays in obtaining results (from several days to several weeks). This is currently the most relevant method for rapid detection of genetic sequences in a sample, for example those of bacteria or viruses causing infectious diseases. In addition to classical PCR, there are several other types of PCR such as RT-PCR (reverse transcription PCR), qPCR (quantitative PCR), dPCR (digital PCR) and ddPCR (droplet digital PCR). Now, a new techniques named hcPCR (high content PCR), combines the advantages of qPCR and dPCR, in order to detect a large number of targets per test (multiplexing) and obtain the maximum amount of information in record time.

The hcPCR technique has been developed at BforCure (Paris, France) with Chronos Dx, its mobile, easy-to-use PCR/RT-PCR testing tool that delivers in vitro diagnosis of many infectious diseases in less than 15 minutes. While real-time PCR or RT-PCR typically takes 35 minutes to one hour to detect genetic material, BforCure's Chronos Dx platform performs multiplex PCR and RT-PCR analysis in record time. With the company’s Bflash+ range of kits optimized for research purposes, it is even possible to obtain accurate test results in less than five minutes.

Image: Chronos Dx platform (Photo courtesy of BforCure)

Chronos Dx is based on a combination of microfluidic and optical technologies, which allows for ultra-fast temperature changes in the reaction mixture, reduced PCR cycle times and the detection of multiple genetic targets present in a sample, all in a single test (multiplexing principle). Chronos Dx enables ultra-fast PCR tests to be performed on a wide range of infectious diseases (respiratory, digestive and sexually transmitted). The infectious disease PCR testing tool offers a reliable and rapid response to the needs of laboratories regarding the detection of microorganisms, whether in the medical, environmental or industrial fields. Mobile, easy to use and connected, the Chronos Dx platform can be directly used in delocalized "satellite laboratories", as close as possible to the needs of healthcare professionals. It allows medical laboratories to manage urgent samples by performing unit analyses of numerous contagious pathologies, in order to accelerate patient care.

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