Oxford Nanopore Technologies aims to apply its super-long-read DNA sequencing approach to new diagnostics for detecting infectious diseases, with the help of the French testmaker bioMérieux.
The collaboration will begin by focusing on “selected opportunities” in the field, such as determining the antibiotic resistance of tuberculosis cases or screening for hidden pathogens in samples that would normally be sterile, the companies said in their announcement.
The pair said they also plan to validate the combination of Oxford Nanopore’s platform with bioMérieux’s EpiSeq CS software, used to track infection outbreaks in hospital settings through whole genome sequencing of bacteria.
Nanopore-based sequencing threads long DNA strands through a fine grate of molecule-sized holes. As the strands move through, the individual genetic bases trigger changes in an electric signal.
According to the companies, the ability to capture and analyze long pieces of DNA in real time make it a cost-effective approach when searching for mutations that could lead to antibiotic drug resistance, or characterizing other genomic features of an infection.
The research project is the latest in a series as Oxford Nanopore looks to branch out the uses of its technology. Last month, the U.K. company announced a collaboration with PathoQuest to develop a quality control test for the biopharma industry to check the safety of biologic therapeutics including cell and gene therapies.
Oxford Nanopore is also exploring the sequencing of circulating tumor DNA found in the bloodstream, in a partnership with Cyclomics. The multi-year tie-up aims to produce a liquid biopsy test, potentially to help monitor tumor burden and the effectiveness of anticancer treatments.