#887: Dr Linda Pilarski: Rapid Detection Uses DNA Targets

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Dr Linda Pilarski calls her tiny device for the rapid detection of food contamination a "molecular copying machine."

 That’s so certain parts of the DNA of e.coli can be quickly multiplied to a level where it’s easily detected.

 Dr Pilarski is a professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, and a specialist in medical miniaturization.

 DR LINDA PILARSKI:  There’s a whole series of chemicals that are put into a gel like matrix and then an enzyme that’s basically the copying machine.  And there are little priming molecules that say , okay, I want you to copy the adhesion molecule gene.  Or I want you to copy the toxin gene.   And so each one of those is a separate test on any given sample, and yet they are all done at the same time.  Which means that you get all your results very quickly and you get a comprehensive picture of what the pathogen is.   And for example, you can also test for salmonella which is very pathogenic, listeria which causes disease, and campylobacter which is another bug which causes a lot of gastro-intestinal disorders.  

 Dr Pilarski says the testing device is being commercialized by an Alberta company called Amplicet.

 Thanks today to Alberta Innovates

 Learn more at Innovation Anthology.com.

 I’M CHERYL CROUCHER

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Alberta Innovates

Alberta Innovates is a provincially funded Corporation with a mandate to deliver 21st century solutions for the most compelling challenges facing Albertans. We do this by building on our province’s research and technology development strengths in the core sectors of health, environment, energy, food and fibre and platforms such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and omics. We are working with our partners to diversify Alberta’s economy, improve our environmental performance and enhance our well-being through research and innovation. 

The Alberta Innovates system has roots stretching back almost 90 years

In March, 2016 the consolidation of Alberta Innovates was announced and on November 1, a single, integrated innovation powerhouse, Alberta Innovates, was formed. Two applied research subsidiaries – Innotech Alberta and C-Fer Technologies –  serve public and private sector interests.

The Alberta Innovates system was first created in January 2010, as part of an overall innovation framework developed within the Alberta Research and Innovation Act. At that time, four corporations were established:

  • Bio Solutions
  • Energy and Environment Solutions
  • Health Solutions
  • Technology Futures.

The Alberta Innovates system has a 90-year legacy. Our expertise is built on the successes of:

  • Alberta Institute for Agriculture
  • Forestry and the Environment
  • Alberta Agricultural Research Institute
  • Alberta Forestry Research Institute
  • Alberta Life Sciences Institute
  • Alberta Ingenuity
  • Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research
  • Alberta Research Council
  • iCORE
  • nanoAlberta
  • Alberta Water Research Institute (AWRI)
  • Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI)
  • Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority (AOSTRA).

 

Program Date: 2017-07-27