Varigen Biosciences Corp

In the U.s., Commercial Production of Channel Catfish (ictalurus Punctatus) Is the Leading Aquaculture Industry. However, in Recent Years the Catfish Industry Has Suffered Huge Economic Losses Due to an Epidemic of Motile Aeromonas Septicemia (MAS) Caused by a Highly Virulent Strain of Aeromonas Hydrophila (vah). the Key to Stopping the Spread of Infection Is the Rapid Identification of Vah So That Containment Strategies Can Be Implemented in Time. Currently There Is Lack Offield-based Diagnostic Assay for Use at Poin-of-care (poc). to Address This Unmet Need, We Propose to Develop a Rapid, Easy-to-use Diagnostic Method for Vah Detection at the Poc. This Diagnostic Test Will Be Designed to Differentiate Between Virulent and Non-virulent Strains of a. Hydrophila. This Test Will Be Based on a Novel Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Method,duplex-lampwhich Allows Detection of 2 Targets in a Single Reaction. the Proposed Lamp Assay Will Be Performed on a Commercially Available Benchtop Instrument, Amplifire®(www.agdia.com). Results of This Assay Will Be Available Within 30 Minutes (including Sample Preparation and Amplification) With Minimal Hands-on Time and Without the Need for Any Additional Equipment. Once Developed, This Technology Will Be Leveraged to Develop Diagnostic Kits for Poc Detection of Other Aquatic Pathogens.the Development and Availability of This Diagnostic Kit Will Allow On-site Testing of Samples. as a Result, the Time Required for Testing Will Be Significantly Reduced, and Laboratories Will Save on Shipping Costs. These Aspects Will Help Producers by Enabling Them to Rapidly Respond to Vah Outbreaks, Increasing Production and Profits.