Nunabio: Providing DNA Solutions

生物物质可以通过其DNA的碱基序列来精确识别。因此，在生物污染对人类健康有害的情况下，DNA检测受到全球关注-含有微生物感染的水，传播疾病的空气样本，被污染的水或食物，散布生物制剂或导致疾病发作的基因突变的武器。DNA传感器已经用于大量商业上重要的市场领域，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检测方法可以通过两种方法实现，包括：NGS技术提供高度准确的结果，但是，它们在时间，专业知识和资金方面可能是昂贵的。使用点设备，提供更实惠和快速的结果，但缺点是对自动结果的信心较低。诊断公司内部有动力从NGS技术转向护理点设备，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，通过市场调研，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、食品和水安全以及生物威胁和安全。作为进入市场的第一条途径，我们发现了水检测市场中迫切的未满足需求。目前还没有快速、可靠的水质测试（联合国儿童基金会）。在Nunabio有限公司，我们的方法是与全球领先的水质测试分析公司Palintest有限公司合作，在一家合资企业中，将我们的专利技术嵌入到符合工业要求的测试平台中。这笔Innovate UK资金将使Nunabio Ltd.能够建立技术开发公司，招募新的团队成员，开发和利用现有和新的知识产权，以全面的知识产权战略，主要影响水中微生物来源的跟踪。加快公司发展将吸引更多的许可机会，我们的技术进入水分析以外的市场。

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.