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INVESTIGATOR: Unal, B.; Loch, TH, .

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
EMERGINGDX INC
241 FRANCIS AVE
MANSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 02048

LOW-COST DIAGNOSTIC PLATFORM FOR AQUACULTURE

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The proposed program fosuses on an important disease limiting an important sector of US aquaculture. Namely, flavobacterium psychrophilum (Fp) is a major pathogen impacting salmonid production in aquaculture, and "breaking vertical transmission" of Fp, transmission via infected gametes being a major vehicle of spread in aquaculture commerce. Therefore, there is an unmet need for development of a simple yet sensitive diagnostics at the pond site to monitor pathogens. The application of this technology to farm-based diagnostics, once it is realized, could improve agricultural production.

OBJECTIVES: EmergingDx, Inc. in collaboration with its academic partner will design and develop a rapid, low-cost, multiplexed, colorimetric, quantitative loop-mediated isothermal amplification (qLAMP) microfluidic based diagnostic device with high sensitivity and selectivity for screening reproductive fluids/gametes to be used for breaking the vertical transmission of pathogens in aquaculture.In Phase I period, we will develop and demonstrate a paradigm shift concept for detection of fish pathogens. EmergingDx's proposed colorimetric microfluidic based diagnostic device involves (i) adapting its academic partner'sexisting laboratory style LAMP assay capable of identifying Flavobacterium psychrophilum in ovarian fluid and milt, (ii) a self-contained, robust, rapid, low-cost, low power, hand-held novel microfluidic device, and (iii) colorimetric detection and data analytics with a phone app for quantification and data storage/transmission. Expected benefits, key risk areas, their associated mitigation strategies, and reliability estimates will be identified and continually reassessed.