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AquaScope |
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The AquaScope is a biomonitor to continuously monitor the microbiological composition of a fluid on line. For the on line monitoring of bacteria with the Aquascope, a combination of techniques is used, based on Fluorescent In Situ Hybridisation (FISH), using bacteria-specific DNA-probes.
When the probes are labeled on the r-RNA of bacteria they are visualized with an optical instrument. The images are automatically analysed by means of high tech software.
With the AquaScope total counts of bacteria (CFU), and/or groups of bacteria or specific kinds of bacteria can be detected, E.g. Lactobacillus or Legionella, but also specific bacteria within those groups, such as Lactobacillus Helvetica or Legionella Pneumophilia can be detected.
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Recently started project
Purpose
Design, development, testing and validation of a completely autonomous in-line Aquascope for the rapid and fully automated detection of micro-organisms in liquid matrices
Description
In close cooperation with WLN, water company Groningen, Water company Drente and several companies specialized in sensor technology and water technology SAWA project is started. Within this project a new and innovative sensor will designed and developed for monitoring of drink water quality. The technology comprised of combined use of robotized fluorescence in-situ hybridization using specific fluorescent DNA-probes and automated microscopic reading. The entire technology comprises is designed as a bench-top design and applicable in decentral locations.
Deliverable
A fully automated filtercytometer in which FISH analysis and robotic microscopy are seamlessly integrated in one solution for molecular detection of microbes. This model is the 1st autonomous in-line biosensor for both quantitative and qualitative bacterial detection in liquids.
Cofinanced by SNN program 'Pieken in de Delta, Koers Noord'
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