ABOUT NANOLOGIX
Our mission
Nanologix is a biotechnology company focused on rapid medical diagnostics.
NanoLogix technology is used to design and market diagnostic test kits for use in early detection of bacteria and other microorganisms present in infectious and noninfectious human diseases, the environment, industrial and manufacturing settings, veterinary medicine, and research and testing laboratories.
History
NanoLogix began 20 years ago under the name Infectech. The company has been issued 33 patents applicable in the areas of applied microbiology, soil microbiology, medical diagnostics, microbial physiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, pharmaco-kinetics, antibiotic sensitivity, stem-cell research, and hydrogen generation through use of bioreactors.
In 2007 the focus of the company evolved from pure Research and Development to capitalizing on the company’s intellectual property through a transition to production of BNP™ Ultra-Fast diagnostic test kits and their marketing.
Rapid Diagnostics and the BNP™
NanoLogix brings new velocity to the cutting edge field called “rapid diagnostics.” For that reason we chose the term “Ultra-Fast” diagnostics for the BNP™. Other early detection devices in development at NanoLogix will bear the same designation.
Reduced testing time can save lives and money.
Time to Detection:
Comparison of BNP™ with Traditional Petri dish technology.
| Microorganism | Traditional time range for observance of cultures (hours) | Average time with BNP™ (hours)* |
|---|---|---|
| Bacillus anthracis | 24 | 6* |
| Yersinia pestis | 48 | 24* |
| Salmonella enterica | 24 | 5* |
| Escherichia coli | 18 - 24 | 4* |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 18 - 24 | 4* |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 18 - 24 | 5* |
| Streptococcus pyogenes | 18 - 24 | 5* |
| Assorted yeasts | 48 - 72 | 12 - 16* |
| Entherobacter cloaceae | 24 | 5 - 6* |
| Listeria inocula | 18 - 24 | 5* |
| Klebsiella pneumonia | 24 | 6* |
*"Average time with BNP™" results are based upon results actually achieved by NNLX through internal testing or results reported from independent third party tests. Detection time depends upon environmental conditions, sample quality, microorganism growth rates, nutrient concentrations, and many other factors. Actual results may vary.
The benefits of Ultra-Fast diagnostics are far-reaching:
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Ultra-Fast diagnostics allow researchers in the lab to test for potentially pathogenic agents faster and develop effective countermeasures more rapidly and economically. This quality presents exciting opportunities in the pharmaceutical design process.
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Can begin more effective drug treatment when an infectious disease is identified at an early stage. The spread of infectious disease may be reduced by earlier intervention.
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In combat theaters and homeland security settings, the presence of specific pathogens can be detected closer to the epicenter of release. Site decontamination teams can identify surface samples closer to real time, potentially aiding the field process.
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Industrial production – of food, beverage, drugs, or beauty products - can be paralyzed by microbial contamination. The ripple effect may include expensive recalls, bad publicity, and government mandated “microbiology holds” that delay the replacement of product. Ultra-Fast diagnostics can help minimize the impact by limiting the spread of spoiled product.
The BNP™ Ultra-Fast test kit is the first of NanoLogix’s inventions to go to market.
Advantages of BNP™
There are three main approaches to detection of microbes. The conventional approach uses the Petri dish to culture samples in agar. In general, this requires at least an 18 - 24 hour wait, in many instances much longer.
More recently, two other approaches have developed. One is PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), and the other Flow Cytometry.
PCR technology detects the DNA of a cell. Its shortcoming is the inability to distinguish between a live or dead cell. It cannot be used for the determination of the actual threat posed by a potentially dangerous microorganism. The process utilizes complicated opto-electronics computerized instrumentation, with an equipment acquisition price of approximately $100,000.
Until NanoLogix’s BNP™ appeared, Flow Cytomery was the standard for “fast” detection. Though it can analyze one cell or particle in 1/10,000 of a second, it needs 18 hours (vs. 24 hours with the standard Petri dish) to provide accurate results. It is also expensive and requires special equipment and technicians.
With the advent of BNP’s™ technology, rapid diagnostics has just gained an important new tool.
Based on Petri dish technology, the BNP™ provides a cheap, ultra-fast result in as little as one-third the time of the Flow Cytometry method, and one-quarter the time of the traditional Petri dish method. It distinguishes between live and dead cells (a crucial requirement in identifying dangerous microbes.) The technology is simple, easy to use, and portable. It provides viewable cultures for evaluation far faster than any other method in use.
The BNP™
The BioNanoPore (BNP™) kit employs a membrane that is extremely thin, translucent, water permeable, and capable of working with organic and non-organic molecules and proteins. The membrane is non-permeable to cell structures, non-toxic for cells, hydrophilic, and non-fluorescent. The BNP™ membrane is covered by thin layer of solid nutrient media and can be used with nutrient agars of the type widely used in microbiological diagnostics.
Market
The volume of Petri dishes used for traditional tests is millions per day worldwide. NanoLogix anticipates that the BNP™ Ultra-Fast technology will capture a portion of that market.
According to Industrial Microbiology Market Review, worldwide industrial microbiology testing is undergoing tremendous growth. The same growth pattern is anticipated in the medical microbiological diagnostics market.
NanoLogix’s potential customers are numerous and varied. They include microbiological laboratories in the industrial, medical, environmental, governmental (federal, state and local) sectors, research and development facilities, and educational institutions.
R&D
NanoLogix’s research and development continues on other diagnostic technology. The company’s BNC™ technology utilizes a small disk with millions of nano-channels to trap microorganisms for analysis. Extensive laboratory and field research was done from 2005-2008 on extraction of hydrogen gas from organic waste, with the data archived for potential future use.