This case study demonstrates how Pattern Genomics is capable of designing a complex PCR detection assay and validating it on reference samples.  Our in silico approach to assay design saves substantial time and effort over the traditional approach of searching the literature, engaging disease-specific researchers, and trial-and-error wet lab work.  The result is a primer set capable of uniquely identifying MRSA, including community-acquired strains and emerging strains from around the world, without generating false positives from methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus or other methicillin-resistant Staphylococci.  As part of this project, we obtained isolates, sequenced and assembled their genomes, performed our custom bioinformatics, and tested the resulting primers in the lab.  We are capable of performing any or all of these steps on behalf of clients with infectious disease molecular assay design projects.

This work was originally presented at the ASM Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases conference in Washington, DC in January, 2014.  To view the poster that was presented at the conference, use the download link below.  Questions or comments on the poster?  Contact us for more information.

You may also request the accompanying white paper that contains more detailed descriptions and data.