LGC eBook - 2017 - 19

Accelerating Science Using Integrated PCR Tools * Point-of-Care Molecular Diagnostics Evolve

require skilled operator involvement, and the
need for fast results. In particular, true portability
remains a moving target, as most current devices
tend to be at least shoebox-sized.
First Commercial System

With further development, more POCs will
truly be at the point of care, rather than near
the patient. iStock/Mutlu Kurtbas

The first commercial version of a real-time nucleic
acid detection system was Cepheid's Xpert
system, designed to purify, concentrate, detect,
and identify targeted nucleic acid sequences
delivering diagnoses from unprocessed samples
in approximately 30 minutes. But some scientists
have argued that PCR-based devices have fairly
large footprints. Andrew St. John and Christopher
Price, writing in the August 2014 issue of Clinical
Biochemist Reviews, note that existing PCR
systems, like Xpert, might, "be seen more as a
system to automate PCR-based assays rather
than a POC device."
But, they add, the ability of this relatively
small benchtop device to perform real-time
quantitative PCR in approximately 90 minutes
with minimal operator interaction offers the

| GENengnews.com

potential to perform rapid molecular testing in
situations where the need for results is urgent.
To date, however, molecular diagnostic POCs
might be best characterized as being near the
patient rather than at the POC. And while such
devices are in development, small benchtop
systems that perform genomic analyses continue
to reach the market with an increasing variety of
tests that now include infectious diseases, drug
responses to drugs used to treat heart disease,
and recently, cancer.
Roche's acquisition of IQuum gave it access to
IQuum's laboratory-in-a-tube (Liat™) analyzer.
It automates all aspects of nucleic acid testing
processes, including reagent preparation, target
enrichment, inhibitor removal, nucleic acid
extraction, amplification, and real-time detection.
The system generates test results in 20 minutes
or less to facilitate a treatment decision,
according to the company. The analyzer and
two initial assays, cobas® Influenza A/B*
and cobas® Strep A, are both CE-Marked and

http://www.GENengnews.com

LGC eBook - 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of LGC eBook - 2017