The development of the detection kits arose from a conceptualized research program on molecular hybridization for rapid detection of economically-important microorganisms by a group of BIOTECH researchers. The R & D Projects for the PCR-based detection of E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria spp. were then implemented with support from DOST, in addition to BIOTECH Core funding. The Salmonella DAS™ and Staphylococcus aureus DAS™ kits were each granted a patent on nucleic acid sequences and its use for detection by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.

• Next-day results. It is faster than the conventional method which normally takes 3-5 days for confirmed tests
• Pathogen specific, accurate and highly sensitive
• Results are definitive so there is no need for confirmatory tests
• Easy to use and applicable in analyzing bulk

Steps involved:

a) Sample enrichment in the recommended medium
b) Collection, washing and lysing of cells
c) Addition of cell lysates to the DAS™ reaction tubes
d) DNA amplification in the thermal cycler machine
e) Agarose gel electrophoresis and viewing of products with UV light