New DNA fingerprinting system

To meet growing demand for food profiling, Applied Biosystems, part of Applera Corporation, has allied with DuPont Qualicon to develop a new DNA detection system. The new DuPont product will be based on Applied Biosystems' TaqMan assay-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. The TaqMan assay based polymerase technology will be coupled with DuPont's BAX detection system, a test for screening food and environmental samples for pathogens or other organisms.

 

The new product will expand the capabilities of the BAX detection system. The two companies plan to add features such as strain discrimination. The new BAX system will also be extended to allow food makers to detect a larger array of organisms. The BAX system currently breaks down samples at the genetic level, using PCR. The automated system allows for tests of multiple targets in the same run, with up to 96 samples possible per batch. Results are available as soon as the next day and are displayed on screen with a simple positive or negative report. The system eliminating the need for expert interpretation in most cases, DuPont claims.

 

Driving this need are tougher regulatory standards in the face of increased visibility of food contamination in restaurants, supermarkets and processing plants More stringent testing and tracing of food products is being demanded throughout the supply chain to the consumer.

 

"The alliance will bring real value to our customers in food testing by translating innovative and unique DNA-based technology improvements into new applications for the food industry," DuPont Qualicon's president Kevin Huttman.

 

Attend "Food and Livestock Traceability" Dallas February 1-2 2006 and read the new "Food and Livestock Traceability Encyclopaedia" and the report "Food and Livestock Traceability" www.trackingfood.com