Rapid microfluidic screening and detection of mycotoxins in maize production
A patent-pending microfluidic platform for fast, comprehensive mycotoxin detection in maize, offering a competitive advantage in corn wet milling by enabling real-time decisions and replacing slower, complex assays.
Overview
Bench in a Box Technologies introduces a cutting-edge microfluidic platform that revolutionizes mycotoxin screening in maize production. This patent-pending technology addresses the limitations of traditional lateral flow assays by providing a single-chip solution capable of detecting multiple mycotoxins including aflatoxin, DON, zearalenone, fumonisin, and ochratoxin A/T-2 toxin in under 5 minutes. Designed to function as a direct drop-in replacement, this platform promises superior speed and comprehensive detection with minimal sample preparation, thereby enhancing throughput and decision-making during processing.
Technical specifications
- Single-chip detection: Simultaneously targets multiple mycotoxins, offering comprehensive contamination assessment.
- Fast and efficient: Performs detection in under 5 minutes with less than 1-minute sample preparation.
- Flexible targeting: Capable of expanding to fungal species identification for a broader contamination profile.
- Ease of integration: Designed as a drop-in replacement for existing lateral flow assays, requiring minimal infrastructure changes.
- Proof-of-concept validated: Initial demonstrations confirm feasibility and potential for commercial application.
Technology readiness level
Currently at Technology Readiness Level 3, this technology is in the proof-of-concept stage. Future validation phases will focus on optimizing antibody probe complexes, analytical validations, and field testing with industry partners to benchmark against existing methods. The plan includes finalizing chip design for manufacturing and initiating any necessary regulatory submissions.
About Bench in a Box Technologies
Bench in a Box Technologies is developing a diagnostic platform designed to provide rapid, portable molecular testing for field and low-resource environments. Its core innovation is a patent-pending Protein Signal Amplification (PSA) platform, which enables specific molecular detection without the need for electricity, refrigeration, or complex laboratory infrastructure. The process uses specialized probes and a capture interface to immobilize targets, followed by a universal reporter solution that produces a distinct color change in under five minutes. By eliminating the requirement for traditional PCR/qPCR thermocycling, the technology offers a flexible approach to detection that can incorporate various molecules, such as antibodies, as a targeting mechanism.
This platform is intended to democratize access to high-quality diagnostics across diverse sectors, including clinical healthcare, veterinary medicine, and environmental monitoring. By focusing on point-of-care solutions, the company aims to overcome the logistical barriers often associated with diagnostic testing in remote or rural areas. The organization is currently led by a team with expertise in molecular diagnostics, pharmaceutical R&D, and scientific logistics, and it is actively pursuing investment to scale its development and commercialization efforts. Bench in a Box Technologies is based in Bay City, Michigan.
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