Technology
Xtreme Chain Reaction (XCR®)
Molecular Diagnostics for the Masses.
We have developed patented amplification technology, Xtreme Chain Reaction (XCR®) – a more efficient nucleic acid amplification chemistry, surpassing today’s amplification systems. Combining our XCR® DNA/RNA amplification chemistry with an affordable single use sample delivery system and cost effective Portable Nucleic Acid System, Pyramid, for worldwide near patient diagnostic testing, we can significantly improve the quality of human lives.
XCR®- Improving turnaround time and throughput for critical testing needs.
The following video depicts the real-time speed of amplification of XCR® chemistry. Shown are the images of five reaction tubes containing increasing amounts of human DNA: 0 (NTC) to 14,000 copies of input DNA. At time 0, the amplification begins. In tubes where amplification occurs, fluorescence is produced by probe hydrolysis. First, we see fluorescence appear within the tube with at 14000 copies, followed by 1400, then 140 copies, and at 6 minutes we see amplification occurring within the tube with only 14 copies. Using traditional assays and amplification systems, this type of testing would normally take approximately 40 – 90 minutes to a negative.
This represents the impact that XCR technology can make in reducing turnaround time and increasing testing throughput on current amplification systems. Coupled with the XCR Diagnostics Pyramid system, XCR technology can bring real-time PCR sensitivity and specificity to the Point of Care with actionable results in a little as 10 minutes, anywhere it is needed.
Note: NTC is defined as No Template Control
What is XCR®?
XCR® is an ultra-fast method and assay design technology. It consists of proprietary assay design and amplification methodologies that results in test times that are 5 to 10 times faster than traditional amplification technologies. XCR® utilizes a patented combination of target design and template selection to deliver efficient amplification and detection. XCR® amplification can reduce test turnaround time to 10 minutes or less for a negative result allowing increased system throughput, driving down costs and increasing efficiency. This unique chemistry prevents artifact formation, e.g. “primer-dimer”, minimizing false positive tests and improving sensitivity. By using standard enzymes and reagents, XCR® is adaptable to existing PCR instrument, reagents and probe technologies increasing its speed and therefore providing greater throughput.
A Comparison of Amplification of XCR® vs. PCR
An example of Amplification of XCR® vs. PCR:
Principal of XCR®
XCR® is more efficient than traditional PCR methods due to the way in which assay design and thermal amplification profile are approached. Rather than simply boiling a sample and expecting all of the nucleic acid in the sample to denature and fall apart, XCR® uses explicitly designed denature temperatures to minimize the possibility of amplification primers binding to non-target regions.
This approach makes the amplification more efficient from a time perspective, compared to PCR’s thermal cycling need to traverse the full traditional range of ~40C. Furthermore, the efficiency of the actual reaction itself is enhanced by reducing the formation of non-specific product and allowing the building blocks (dNTPs) and the enzymes to focus on the formation of the desired target amplicons.
Our Awards
2015 Utah Innovation Award
Best in Bio-Tech/Life Science
Best in Bio-Tech/Life Science
2015 Molecular Medicine Tri Conference Most Promising Company
Utah Business Magazine
Healthcare Hero
Healthcare Hero