Docket Number: 7305
Serial Number: 11705398

Technology Description:    A team of Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Japanese researchers developed a technology that can be used to detect Campylobacter in different types of samples, including food, fecal samples, and environmental samples.  Campylobacter is the most common cause of bacterial gastrointestinal infection in the United States and in many other countries.  This technology provides an accurate, rapid, and simple method, which can be used to detect, identify, and differentiate Campylobacter species.  Other technologies do exist; however they are either not accurate, are unable to differentiate Campylobacter species, are difficult to interpret, require complicated and expensive instruments, and are unable to produce reliable results.    ARS is seeking a commercial partner to develop and commercialize the technology.  A company would have to develop a test kit that could be used commercially. Pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies could use this invention to develop a commercial test kit that could be used by a variety of professionals to test for Campylobacter.  A commercial test could be used to test for the presence of different Campylobacter species in humans, animals, food, water, and a variety of other sources.   Reference:    Please refer to S.N. 11/705,398 (Docket #0073.05), “Genetic Methods for Speciating Campylobacter,” which was filed on February 12, 2007.  Foreign patent rights are not available.   Inventors:   Pina M. Fratamico Microbial Food Safety Research Wyndmoor, PA  19038 Phone: (215) 233-6525     Fax: (215) 233-6581 pina.fratamico@ars.usda.gov Susumu Kawasaki 2-1-12 Kannondai TSUKUBA 305-8642 Japan Phone: 81-29-838-8067    Fax: 81-29-838-7996 skawasa@nfri.affrc.go.jp Shinichi Kawamoto (Same as second inventor) taishi@nfri.affrc.go.jp