Biophage Pharma presents biosensors potential to monitor toxic Cyanobacteria

15-Sep-2005

Biophage Pharma announced the latest development in their bacterial detection platform. The company presented the biosensor's potential to monitor the presence of Cyanobacterial toxins.

The deterioration of water quality including the development of harmful algal bacterial blooms is one of the most significant issues regarding water ecosystem. According to the literature 25 per cent of cyanobacteria blooms produce potent toxins that can induce harmful effects to the liver and gastrointestinal tract: hepatotoxins (hepatotoxicity, primary cancers, gastroenteritis) and to the brain: neurotoxins (Alzheimer disease). In general, the four major toxic Cyanobacteria are found all over the world (Microcystins, Cylindrospermopsins, Anatoxins, Saxitoxins) and the threat posed by their toxins to water supplies has increased world-wide during the past 30 years. Health problems attributed to the presence of such toxins in drinking water have been reported in a number of countries, including Australia, Brazil, China, England, South Africa and North America. Understanding of production and abundance of these toxins is essential for risk assessment and management.

Biophage Pharma had previously announced the Biosensor's ability to detect 5-10 bacteria in a 1 ml sample without any pre-enrichment and to simultaneously screen up to 60 samples for different types of bacteria. The unique feature of this product is its ability to detect not only the presence, but also the viability of pathogens. Recent advances have demonstrated that the Biosensor can be used to monitor the presence of waterborne pathogens in drinking water, as well as evaluate their clinical sensitivity to antibiotics. Since August 2005, Biophage Pharma is offering a new service for the detection and quantification of live bacteria and their clinical sensitivity to antibiotics using its proprietary biosensor technology as well as classical bacteriological techniques

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/48970/biophage-pharma-presents-biosensors-potential-to-monitor-toxic-cyanobacteria.html