DNA Microarray

Technology
Diagnostics of Multiple
Group 9 STDs
Madhunika
Emmanuel
Sa’ad
Onyedika
Background
 Smart Inc is a young biotechnology
company made up of fresh
biotechnology graduates
 Manufactures diagnostic tools for STDs
with DNA microarray technology.
 Located in the heart of Sub-Saharan
African
 340 million cases a year of STDs (WHO)
 STDs: Sexually transmitted
diseases/infections.
Different types :HIV, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia,
Syphilis, Herpes Simplex Virus 1&2 etc.

Diagnostic tests
Serology
Disorders:
,microscopy and Infertility,
cell culture, direct
No visible plasma antibody, meningitis,
symptoms
Elisa(enzyme
linked
irreversible
immunoabsorbent damage to
assay),
Immunoflurescence the heart,
etc. death etc.
STDs Prevalence Worldwide

Guttmacher
2010
OPPORTUNITIES
In Ethiopia

 Adult population= 45 million

 Incidence rate=4.5%
 The Health and economic burden of STIs are
significant and increasing in Sub-Saharan
Africa( Ethiopia)
 Complications as a result of wrong diagnosis
 Few diagnostic tools meet the product criteria
needs of Sub-Saharan Africa
 Cost effective to join the diagnostic market
Reason for non-effective STI diagnostic
tools in Sub Saharan Africa
A real (or in some
cases perceived) Limited public
sector advocacy
lack of a or coordination
commercial of R&D process
market

Time lag to get Poor access to

results clinical trials

Poor
Lack of access
understanding of to protocols
tests needed
Our Technology
 Smart-Array Card
 Uses DNA
Microarray
Technology
 A DNA
Microarray/DNA
chip is a piece of
glass or plastic on
which pieces of DNA
have been affixed in
a microscopic array
Product Specification
Sensitivity and
specificity is for HIV, Sub-Saharan African Reading time will be
gonorrhea, Chlamydia, (16-60 yrs) starting with 15mins
syphilis, herpes Ethiopia Shelf life is 24 months
simplex virus 1&2.

Designated
Card stored under
pharmaceutical and Urine samples 2-3
room temperature (4-
chemist outlets, drops
35◦c)
hospitals, Universities

Cost is $5 for a pack

containing 3 Smart-
Array cards
Merits and Demerits
•Merits Demerits
High specificity and Too much data all at once.
sensitivity.
Can take quite a while to
Faster• results analyze all the results.

• Can compare the activity The results may be too

of many genes in diseased complex to interpret
and healthy cells
The results are not always
Can categorize diseases reproducible
into stages
Target Market & Drive

Inexpensive Affordable
Sensitive Accurate
Equipment free Non-invasive
Rapid Easily accessible
Bargaining Power of Govt. collaboration
Customers Joint ventures
Acceptability
S.W.O.T
Acceptability
Rapid test for 5 STDs of
New technology different strains
Ease of use and portability
Cost efficient
Business Environment
Market Leaders

Image from: Bwill, 2010

Future Prospects

Image from: Gnatchr, 2009

Conclusion

DNA based multiple disease

diagnosis can be exploited for
STI Prevention and Control
 Curled from: vleindia.blogspot.com
Cu rl ed fromvl eind ia.bl ogs pot.com