SCANNING — After the sample has gone through hybridization, washing and drying, the 96-well plate is placed in the scanner. The scanner will image each well, illuminating the fluorescent dye, and taking multiple images of each well. The images are then uploaded to our proprietary Augury software where the fluorescent signals are recorded. If the signal is above the threshold for detection, the Augury software will report that sample as being positive for a specific pathogen.

HYBRIDIZATION — After the sample has been amplified via PCR, the amplified product is labeled with a fluorescent dye that is used for detection. The amplified and labeled sample is then mixed with a hybridization buffer and added to a single well. If a pathogen is present and amplified during PCR, the labeled DNA containing it will hybridize to the complementary probe. Each well is then washed and dried prior to scanning.

INSIDE THE WELL — Each well of the PathogenDx DNA Microarray is printed with single stranded DNA probes that are complementary to our amplified PCR products. The probes are coded to identify the presence of unique pathogens (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) as well as probes to discriminate different strains, variants or serovars of these pathogens. Each well of the DNA Microarray can identify up to 50 different pathogens, in triplicate, in a single test.