Nunabio: Providing DNA Solutions

生物物质可以通过其DNA的碱基序列精确地识别出来。因此，在生物污染对人类健康有害的领域————含有微生物感染的水、传播疾病的空气样本、受污染的水或食物、分散生物制剂的武器或导致发病的基因突变————DNA检测是全球关注的问题。DNA传感器已经在许多具有重要商业意义的市场部门得到应用，包括临床分子诊断、食品和水中的病原体检测以及对国土安全的生物威胁。目前的DNA检测方法可以通过以下两种方法实现：1\；NGS技术可以提供高度精确的结果，然而，在时间、专业知识和资金方面，它们可能是昂贵的。使用点设备提供更实惠和更快的结果，但缺点是对自动化结果的信心较低。诊断公司内部有从NGS技术转向护理点设备的动机，然而，迫切需要提高对这些结果的信心。我们的专利技术将能够实现更高的信心水平，这需要做出更快、更明智的决策，并随后改善用户体验和反馈。经过市场研究，我们发现我们的技术适用于许多微生物检测市场领域，包括分子诊断、食品和水安全、生物威胁和安全。作为进入市场的第一个途径，我们确定了水测试市场迫切的未满足需求。目前没有快速、可靠的水质检测方法（儿童基金会）。在nunitio Ltd，我们的方法是与全球领先的水测试分析公司Palintest Ltd.合作，合资将我们的专利技术嵌入到满足工业要求的测试平台中。这笔Innovate UK的资金将使nunibio Ltd.能够建立一个技术开发公司，招募新的团队成员，在一个全面的知识产权战略中开发和利用现有的和新的知识产权，主要影响水中微生物源的跟踪。加速公司的发展将吸引我们的技术进入水分析以外的市场的进一步许可机会。

Biological matter can be precisely identified by the base sequence of its DNA. DNA detection is therefore of global interest where biological contamination is harmful to human health -- water that contains microbial infections, air samples that convey disease, water or food that is contaminated, weapons that disperse biological agents or genetic mutations that lead to the onset of disease.DNA sensors are already utilised in a large number of commercially important market sectors including clinical molecular diagnostics, pathogen detection in food and water and biothreats to homeland security.The current approach to DNA detection can be achieved by two methods including;1\. NGS technologies which provide highly accurate results, however, they can be costly in terms of time, expertise and finances.2\. Point-of-use devices which provide more affordable and rapid time-to-result, but with the drawback of a lower confidence in the automated result.There is motivation within diagnostic companies to move from NGS technologies to point-of-care devices, however, there is an urgent need to improve the confidence in these results.Our patented technology will enable the achievement of the higher confidence levels that are required to make quicker and better-informed decisions and subsequently improve user experience and feedback.Following market research, we found our technology to be applicable within in a number of microbiological testing market sectors including, molecular diagnostics, food and water safety, and biothreat and security.As a first route to market, we identified a pressing unmet need in the water testing market. There is currently no rapid, reliable water quality test available (UNICEF).At Nunabio Ltd, our approach is to work with a global leader in water testing analysis, Palintest Ltd., in a joint-venture that will embed our patented technology into a testing platform that meets industrial requirements.This Innovate UK funding will enable Nunabio Ltd. to set up as a technology development house, recruit new team members, develop and exploit current and new intellectual property in a comprehensive IP strategy to primarily impact the microbial source tracking in water. Accelerating the company development will attract further licencing opportunities of our technology into markets beyond water analysis.