Photonic BioSystems seeks licensees for microbial detection and sampling tech

The technologies enable rapid sampling, detection and measurement of bacteria, cells, microorganisms and microbial contaminants - including E. coli, total coliform and other microbes. 

They were developed through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding by the US Department of Defense to create an automated field test to provide troops with as ‘fast-as-possible’ measurement of water quality.

Applications include sample preparation and filtration in water, beverage and food processing, biotech and pharmaceutical processing and field environmental and industrial processing testing.

The Microbial Analyzer is a portable instrument that can detect microbes in water and fluid matrices.

It can find E. coli and coliforms in 10 minutes with high bacterial-count samples and eight-hour ‘same-shift’ detection for cell concentrations as low as 1 cfu.

The device is for field applications and can automatically report results increasing productivity and reducing the need for skilled technicians.

The Membrane Filtration Assay Cartridge (MFAC) is a fully enclosed cartridge used with an aspiration system that simplifies sample collection, protects samples from contamination and solves cartridge ‘air locking’ that previously prevented filtration-processing of samples. 

The Liquid Sample Vessel and Assay is a portable system that enables the preparation and analysis of water samples in the field with no additional equipment. 

With minimal training, field technicians can do E. coli and Total Coliform analysis outside the lab obtaining quantitative results in 12 hours.

Photonic Biosystems has rights to license the technology for commercial applications in multiple markets.

The firm specializes in the R&D of liquid handling techniques, opto-electronic instruments and bioassay systems.