S. Korea develops real-time animal bacteria detection biochip

South Korea's state-run veterinary quarantine service said Thursday that it has developed a new biochip array that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of animal bacteria.

The "microfluidic biochip" uses a state-of-the-art nano level sensor that can detect the presence of a single bacterium, the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service said.

The biochip built in cooperation with the University of Arizona is expected to help animal health authorities detect harmful bacteria in livestock raising farms that can prevent the spread of highly infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza.

"Tests conducted on bovine viral diarrhea showed considerable potential," the agency under the farm ministry said.

It said the biochip has been submitted for patent approval in the United States and to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which issues patents recognized around the world.//Yonhap

Park Sae-jin swatchsjp@ajunews.com