Continued DNA yield improvement with PCT platform technology in forensic application

In a news release on October 26, 2010, Pressure BioSciences, Inc. (PBIO) announced two scientific presentations at the 21st International Symposium on Human Identification. These two presentations, by two of the most well-known and respected investigative and academic forensics laboratories in the U.S., have provided further evidence that the company’s lead sample preparation technology — pressure cycling technology (PCT) — offers an improved method for the extraction of DNA in the analysis of forensic evidentiary samples.

One study, Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT): Applications for Forensics DNA Analysis, was presented by Ms. Pam Marshall, MS, et al., from the Institute of Investigative Genetics, Department of Forensics and Investigative Genetics at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC), Fort Worth, Texas.

Data from this study showed an increase in DNA yield from forensic swab samples prepared with PCT compared to samples prepared without PCT. These results confirmed and extended the data presented by UNTHSC scientists at the 20th Human Identification Meeting in October 2009 and at the Harvard Medical School Symposium on High Pressure in May 2010, where data were presented that showed significant improvements in DNA yield from challenging forensic samples using PCT.

The second study was presented by Dr. Bruce R. McCord and Ms. Deepthi Nori, MFS from the International Forensic Research Institute (IFRI), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University (FIU). The presentation was entitled Application of Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT) in Differential Extraction.

In this study, the authors adopted a unique extraction protocol which uses PCT to differentially extract DNA from sperm and vaginal epithelial cells. This novel method has the potential to lead to better identification of criminals involved in sexual assaults.

Our immediate take-away from the two studies is that PBIO’s PCT sample preparation platform technology is a better method to apply to the forensic field. One major bottle neck in forensic sample preparation is the tiny amount of DNA at the crime scene.

Therefore, methods used for sample preparation must have a high yield. Pressure Biosciences’ PCT technology seams to be the choice. The data presented by these two groups is additional confirmation that PCT can improve the detection of DNA in challenging forensic samples. These methods can be used by forensic laboratories and criminal justice agencies worldwide to better identify missing persons or perpetrators of violent crimes.

New application in agricultural area

We also noticed a front page story from the October 26 issue of the Wall Street Journal. The article was entitled: After Housing Bust, Orange Die-Off by Adam Cancryn. In this article and recent reports from other media, a citrus disease called Huanglongbing (HLB) disease and its vector, the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), have been reported as a direct threat to the nation’s multi-billion-a-year citrus industry, especially in Florida and California.

Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) is a very serious bacterial disease that is adversely affecting citrus groves worldwide. The disease has already been responsible for the significant decrease in citrus production in many countries in Asia, Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Brazil. In 2005, HLB was discovered in Florida. HLB disease affects all of the main types of citrus, has no known cure, can greatly reduce fruit production, is spread through an insect called a citrus psyllid, and can ultimately kill citrus trees. If unstopped, the potential economic impact to the multi-billion dollar citrus industry of the US and the rest of the world could be devastating.

Huanglongbing is caused by three species of Ca. Liberibacter. Diagnosis of the disease is reliant on real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Detection of the pathogen is complicated, especially from small survey samples, because of low titer and uneven distribution of the bacterium throughout the infected plant and the complex nature of the plant tissue from which it is extracted. Cultured cells of Ca. Liberibacter species are also difficult to disrupt for efficient DNA extraction.

Scientists from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) laboratories have found that PCT has demonstrated a yield of double-stranded HLB DNA that was at least 10 times greater than any other DNA extraction method tested. The extracted DNA was of very high quality, and this should support the effective sequencing of the genome of the HLB bacterium. Genome sequencing is a very important step in gaining a better understanding of a disease and potential disease resistant mechanisms.

These findings indicate that PCT can be very useful in the laboratory analysis of HLB, and consequently may play an important role in the development of new procedures for diagnosing and controlling HLB. PCT has also been used in other agricultural applications. These findings help support the company’s goal of developing multiple PCT uses in the agricultural area in an effort to help to make PCT the method of choice for the standardization of sample preparation for agricultural applications

The bottom line

The new applications of the PCT technology in the forensic area and agricultural area can lead to increased installation of the instrument and the increased use of consumables, which will ultimately translate into top line growth in our view. 

We are impressed with the potential of PBIO’s PCT sample preparation technology. The company has made great efforts to expand its applications from conventional use in the life science labs to new frontiers such as in the area of oil spill cleanup, forensic detection and agricultural application. The company is headed in the right direction in our view. We have an Outperform rating on the company’s shares with a price target of $5 per share.
 
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