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Branched DNA Diagnostic for Malaria Parasites

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Army
Contract: W81XWH-09-C-0018
Agency Tracking Number: A082-118-2113
Amount: $70,009.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: A08-118
Solicitation Number: 2008.2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2008
Award Year: 2008
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2008-10-20
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2009-04-19
Small Business Information
P.O. Box 80010
Austin, TX 78708
United States
DUNS: 022552900
HUBZone Owned: Yes
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: Yes
Principal Investigator
 Kathie Berghorn
 Staff Scientist
 (607) 272-0002
 kberghorn@agavebio.com
Business Contact
 Noe Salazar
Title: President
Phone: (512) 656-6200
Email: nsalazar@agavebio.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

The key to effective management of malaria is accurate diagnosis that is also rapid. The “gold standard” microscopy is time-consuming and labor-intensive and suffers from retirement of microscopic diagnostic experts and inaccurate slide reading. A field-deployable diagnostic method that is specific for the different malaria parasites and is capable of quickly processing potential patients would be highly valuable for the treatment process. The identification of parasite specific RNAs has great potential as a biomarker for diagnosis of malaria. A parasite-specific and highly sensitive diagnostic method that is rapid will allow for the accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment regime for malaria. In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop a fast, fluorescent RNA diagnostic assay utilizing branched DNA signal amplification for rapid detection and analysis of malaria parasites P. falciparum and P. vivax.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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