An industrial partnership between SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT and BIOMERIEUX
SA was established in order to jointly develop the first analytical process in the world using
DNA chip technology, powered by Affymetrix, Inc. technology, which allows the
multidetection of bacteria, parasites, and viruses in water samples in less than a day. The
GeneChip® brand technology supplied by Affymetrix (California) is an established, proven
technology that constitutes a major breakthrough for this application since it allows rapid
multidetection of pathogens in one single analysis instead of several monodetection tests.
This research program developed a prototype, which represents a complete analytical process
from a 30L water sample preparation to the multidetection of 13 microorganisms. Research
has come up with the product and reagents for sample preparation, choice of the genomic
sequences, and development of the bio-informatics algorithm for multidetection.
The speed of this new process (less than a day as opposed to weeks for viruses) and the specific multidetection of viable waterborne pathogens will make it possible
to assess and protect against potential risks in a better way. It will also improve decision-making
about the best treatments to use and allow faster return to normal operations whether
in the municipal, tertiary (public buildings, hospitals, etc.) or industrial sectors (Food and
Beverage, Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals, etc.).
This new process will enhance the consumer's safety by
allowing much faster and better evaluation of potential risks. It will also bring new knowledge
on the occurrence of microorganisms along the water cycle, allowing better decision-making to ensure water sustainability. Includes 30 references, table, figures.