Raman Remember the old days of Verisante and raman spectroscopy! Where are they now in a possible day of need? Dead and buried where the old CEO took them - to the graveyard of Canadian small tech.
Biomark hopes to detect coronavirus with spectrometer
2020-03-16 10:22 ET - News Release
Mr. Rashid Bux reports
BIOMARK DIAGNOSTICS ADVANCED RAMAN SPECTROMETER COULD POTENTIALLY SERVE AS COMPLEMENTARY DETECTION TOOL FOR COVID -19 / CORONAVIRUS
Biomark Diagnostics Inc., following its annual technology meeting, notes that its advanced Raman spectrometer might have potential to be modified and reconfigured for use in the detection of certain pathogens and mutations within the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Biomark's Raman spectrometer was originally developed for work in early cancer diagnostics. It was created to assist in ultralow detection of a very small exogenous molecule in urine samples. The size of the molecule is much smaller than that of a typical virus. Additionally, at the time, Biomark believed there was realistic potential for its use in identifying infectious diseases. In 2014, Ebola was a serious concern in West Africa and Biomark felt it may be an ideal candidate for field testing.
An effective pathogen-testing solution requires a device that is affordable and rapidly deployable. It should also utilize wireless or satellite technology to communicate with the World Health Organization (WHO) or Center for Disease Control (CDC). Biomark's Raman spectrometer could not only share information amongst test sites, but in theory, could potentially be reconfigured if a pathogen mutates and the RNA or DNA.
"Testing is critical to understand the both the scope of the disease and to provide effective treatment to those afflicted. More efficient testing provides physicians with greater knowledge as to how the disease evolves, lends insight as to the precautions we can take stop it from spreading," stated Rashid A. Bux, president and chief executive officer of Biomark Diagnostics. "Biomark could leverage its years of scientific research and development to prepare for rapid and sensitive means of detecting viruses and the emergence of new pathogens. A modified Raman spectrometer, in combination with advanced statistical methods coupled with other technology and strategic relationships, will allow us to continue to develop and enhance new solutions that provide early detection to many of the world's most dangerous diseases." In addition, Raman can be performed effectively on bulk versus single sample analysis.