Disease-detecting poultry biochip launched in Singapore
Unlike the conventional method of testing, which requires different samples for different tests, the portable Lab-on-Chip application is able to detect multiple infectious disease agents affecting poultry using only one sample.
Scientists from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and Veredus Laboratories, supplier of molecular diagnostic tools, have been working on the chip since 2010.
The biochip is known as 'VereVet' and was described by the developers in a joint statement as a portable Lab-on-Chip application that can detect, differentiate and identify nine major poultry infectious disease agents.
Unlike the conventional method of testing, which requires different samples for different tests, the portable Lab-on-Chip application is able to detect multiple infectious disease agents affecting poultry using only one sample.
These disease agents include Newcastle Disease Virus, Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella enteritidis, campylobacter and avian influenza virus. The chip is able to detect all avian influenza virus types, but places special emphasis on differentiating H5, H7 and H9. ■