FREMONT, Calif., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Microfluidic Systems, a privately-held company, announced today that they were granted US patent number 7,491,527 for an automated microfluidic DNA separation cartridge. This microfluidic cartridge technology was developed specifically to automate the separation of male and female human DNA from forensic samples specifically related to rape cases. In determining the identity of a rape perpetrator, it is imperative that the DNA from the victim and perpetrator be separated prior to analysis such as with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and/or DNA sequencing. Currently, the laboratory procedure to perform this tedious DNA processing technique, referred to differential extraction, involves numerous laboratory-based, labor-intensive techniques that are subject to contamination and human error. The benefit of implementing this process into an automated, closed, and disposable device are apparent and will help expedite the processing of the large backlog of rape identification cases throughout the world.
"We are very excited about the issuance of this fundamental microfluidic cartridge device patent," commented Dr. M. Allen Northrup, MFSI President and CEO. "This technology and similar technologies that MFSI is developing for automated pathogen processing and detection should go a long way toward extending powerful molecular biology techniques into the field."
Microfluidic Systems (MFSI), www.microfluidicsystems.com , was founded in 2001 and is focused on the development of microfluidic systems for automated preparation of biological assays. MFSI personnel have been involved with the development of automated DNA-based pathogen detection systems and microfluidics for the US Government and commercial markets for over 12 years, including the world's first miniaturized, portable, battery-operated, real-time, polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR)-based detection system. For more information, please contact MFSI at 510-354-0400 or visit the website, www.microfluidicsystems.com.
Statements in this press release are forward-looking. Actual results might differ from these statements due to unforeseen events and uncertainties. MFSI disclaims any intention to or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Allen Northrup of Microfluidic Systems, +1-510-354-0400, ext.
201, northrup@microfluidicsystems.com
Web site: http://www.microfluidicsystems.com/
