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Elkhart, IN (Feb. 18) -- Agdia, Inc. has licensed TwistDX’s patented Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) technology for the detection of plant pathogens. Under the terms of the agreement, Agdia will develop, manufacture, and commercialize rapid DNA and RNA test kits and services that utilize the RPA technology under the trade name AmplifyRP.
AmplifyRP laboratory testing services and on-site detection kits for Candidatus Liberibacter spp, the casual agent of citrus greening (also known as Huanglongbing or HLB), will be available in 2011. AmplifyRP services and testing kits for other plant diseases and pathogens are also in development.
A novel isothermal DNA detection technology, RPA offers several advantages over other testing systems, including speed, sensitivity, specificity, and portability and is suitable for field-usable nucleic acid tests as well as high throughput lab testing. The process employs enzymes capable of pairing oligonucleotide primers with homologous sequences in duplex DNA, directing DNA synthesis to defined points in sample DNA.
If the target sequence is present, a DNA amplification reaction is initiated, rapidly progressing to detectable levels within 5 to 10 minutes. The entire process, including sample extraction, can be completed in less than 30 minutes.
A leading provider of diagnostic solutions for agriculture, Agdia, Inc., has been serving customers since 1981. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of validated, easy-to-use diagnostics for identifying plant pathogens, hormones, growth regulators and transgenic traits. An in-house testing services laboratory is also available to customers who wish to send their samples to Agdia for diagnosis.
About TwistDX, Ltd. – Founded in 1999, UK-based TwistDX is a leader in the development of mobile and field-usable diagnostics that utilize the company’s patented Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) technology. Its products are used in a wide variety of applications, including medical diagnostics, food testing, animal health, agriculture, environmental testing, biodefense, and scientific research.
