Prime Alert Biodetection System | GenPrime, Inc.

General Description
The Prime Alert Biodetection/Threat Verification System is designed to allow First Responders to perform a rapid, on-site test to determine if a substance is a potential biohazard or merely a hoax. The simple and reliable technology alerts the responder to the presence of suspicious levels of any microbe in one five-minute test. A negative result is quickly followed by tests for ricin and botulinum toxins. In less than 15 minutes reliable information is obtained, allowing the First Response team to make an informed decision regarding incident closure. The Microbe Screen™ is performed using a proven fluorescent-based technology in a hand-held reader and the Toxin Screen™ is carried out using lateral flow antibody tests.

Technical Description
The Prime Alert is a broad spectrum point detection device designed for screening unknown substances for the presence of microbes. It employs a fluorescent nucleic acid stain with high affinity binding to DNA/RNA. The amount of fluorescence in a sample is correlative to the CFU’s, and is reported digitally on a handheld battery powered fluorometer. This value is used to make a qualitative assessment of the presence or absence of microbes in a sample.

Evaluation Criteria

THROUGHPUT:

2 minutes or less for detection
1 sample, <10 tests/sample per run
95-32 samples every 2 hours
The system could be adapted to a semi-automated system with some effort
Device or system is intended for multiple detection assays
3 solutions, buffer, eluents, and/or reagents
3 components
Less than 5 minutes is required for set-up
3-5 steps are required for detection

LOGISTICS:

Very brief (minutes-hours) training and minimal technical skills
Between 1 and 5 kg
Wired connections are available
System or device uses batteries
4-8 hours battery life

OPERATIONS:

Can be used from < -21°C to > 42°C (All temperatures)
Components must be stored at room temperature (27°C)
Performance is not influenced by relative humidity
Between 1 to 3 years shelf life
Results can be viewed in real-time
The system is not capable of autonomy
The system software is closed and not available for modification
The system hardware is closed and not available for modification

DETECTION:

This system does not test liquids
Excellent specificity. System has occasional false alarms under certain conditions (<2%)
Greater than 100,000 CFU per mL
Greater than 100,000 PFU per mL
100-1,000 ng per mL
Spore lysis not necessary for detection by system

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