ADA Technologies Inc. yesterday said it received a $70,000 contract from the Army for Phase I research into the development of a self-contained, integrated, disposable bio sampling platform.
The sampling platform, known as a “lab-on-a-chip,” will quickly and inexpensively identify the presence of biological hazards in complex matrices, such as blood, soil, food, and water, the company said in a statement.
“Currently, highly trained laboratory technicians must perform multiple separate processes on large sample sizes to obtain enough material for biological hazard analysis and identification. ADA’s lab-on-a-chip not only saves time, but improves efficiency because it can be carried out by virtually anyone, regardless of training level,” said ADA Chief Technical Officer Steven Arzberger.
The lab-on-a-chip performs a sequence of chemical processes to break up cells and purify and concentrate the chemical constituents of biological hazards such as toxins, viruses, vegetative bacteria, and spores, the company said in a statement. The tiny, postage stamp sized chip is fully self-contained with everything needed to enable identification of unknown biological hazards.
ADA Technologies is a research, development, and commercialization company that specializes in creating and converting innovative technologies to commercial successes, such as creating three spin-off companies: Advanced Distributed Sensor Systems Inc., Novinda Corp., and Pronghorn Technologies LLC.
Littleton, Colo.-based ADA has received more than 180 research grants totaling more than $50 million.