The challenges of water analysis are discussed at length, but how will ANDalyze’s portable “DNA filter” for rapid detection of heavy metals in the field fit into the future mix of technology?
Who? ANDalyze (www.andalyze.com) was founded by Yi Lu, a professor at the University of Illinois, USA, and benefits from DNA sensor technology developed with then student and now vice president of product development Debapriya Mazumdar. What? A handheld detector coupled with disposable DNA filters that detect heavy metal ions in water with up to parts-per-billion (ppb) sensitivity. Currently, color-coded filters exist for lead (2-100ppb), uranium (2-60ppb), copper (40-200ppb), mercury (pass/fail at 2ppb), zinc (1-15ppm), and cadmium (0.1-1.0ppm). Why? To take heavy metal water analysis into the field with a two minute test that can be performed with minimal training.
How? The technology uses catalytic DNA – or “DNAzymes”, which rely on metal ions to function. Fluourescent molecules grafted onto DNAzymes are catalytically parted from “quencher” molecules on contact with the target metal. The amount of fluorescence detected correlates to the concentration of metal ions in the sample. Next? ANDalyze received a US EPA Environmental Technology Verification for its lead sensor, confirming the reported accuracy against the industry standard method (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry). But none of the methods are EPA certified for reporting requirements; presumably, that’s the next step…
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