FAQ

Biomarkers are anatomic, physiologic, biochemical, or molecular parameters associated with the presence and severity of specific disease states. Biomarkers are detectable and measurable by a variety of methods including physical examination, laboratory assays, and medical imaging. A biomarker is a molecule or pattern of molecules that gives information relevant to healthcare. Biomarkers are produced by the person or animal being studied.

PDS is biochip sensor technology. Biochips, combining integrated circuitry and genomic technologies are for basic biological research, drug research and disease diagnosis. PDS technology is built around an Integrated Optical Sensor (IOS) that detects DNA or antibodies attached to fluorescent probes. The patented PDS technology is designed to rapidly, accurately and cost effectively process a biological sample to detect the presence of a large number of pre-specified diseases. The PDS consists of the slide reader, disposable slides containing DNA or antibody probes and result reporting circuitry. NDT’s primary, proprietary technologies are the ASIC design (the “Biochip”), as well as the software developed to operate the system.

Advancements in biotechnology have culminated in its integration with semiconductor technologies such as micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), resulting in the evolution of biochips. Biochips provide pharma companies with sophisticated tools for speedy development of drugs and accurate diagnosis and understanding of biological mechanisms. DNA and protein biochips streamline drug development and significantly lower average drug screening costs from $2 to >$0.05. Biochips also simplify the decoding of genes in order to completely understand their role in health and disease. Other practical applications include handheld devices for testing microbes in food and DNA fingerprinting.

Frequently Asked Questions & Knowledge Base/Part 2

Molecular diagnostics is of critical importance to public health. This area of medical technology will facilitate the detection and characterization of disease, the monitoring of drug response and the identification of genetic modifiers and disease susceptibility—all this just in the human clinical arena. Molecular diagnostics will also be used to identify food, water, environmental contamination and the possible presence of biological warfare agents.

What is Molecular Diagnostics?

What is Biochip technology?

What is a Photon Detection System (PDS)?

What are Biomarkers?

What is the Human Genome Project & Genetic Code ATCG?

The goal of the Human Genome Project was to create a “map” of the human genome. The project was a joint effort by scientific centers worldwide. It was completed in 2003. The human genome size, in number if base pairs (bp) is 3.2 billion. The gene code — “code of life” — has four letters (base pairs): A (adenine), T (thiamine) C (cytosine),& G (guanine). When these four letters are paired they form instructions for every living thing. These instructions in a gene tell a cell how to make a specific protein. A, T, G, and C are the "letters" of the DNA code. Each gene's code combines the four chemicals in various ways to spell out 3-letter "words" that specify which amino acid is needed at every step in making a protein.