Faster ID for flu strains

02/01/2006

CombiMatrix Corp. has produced a CMOS chip for the timely identification of influenza strains. According to the company, its microarray can be updated for new flu strains in less than 24 hours, and can identify a known strain in as little as four hours, whereas current influenza ID tests require batch operations that must run overnight. The chips are disposable and can be ordered preloaded to identify DNA sequences for up to 12,000 flu strains.