Terabit analyses integrates several functionalities onto a single platform: sample preparation, nucleic acid amplification and pathogen detection. It incorporates many of the required components of a typical room-sized laboratory in a small, portable device that empowers producers to perform food safety testing in the field. There is no longer need for well-equipped lab and experienced laboratory staff to precisely detect and recognize the biological threat.

Terrabio’s portable detection system will significantly reduce the time of the diagnostic procedure. It takes less than 40 minutes from sample collection to the result. Thanks to our patent pending heating technology we ware able to achieve unbeatable temperature ramping of over 20 oC/sec on heating and 15 oC/sec on cooling, while still maintaining low maximal energy consumption of less than 5W per each of 4 reaction chambers.

The first step of this extremely simplified is a sample collection, then, quick DNA extraction with a protocol designed for users ease-of-use and next, automated amplification-detection procedure in, all in a single device. The testing kit will supply the user with all necessary reagents, including reagents for DNA extraction from biological samples, and then assemble, perform, and analyse the results of multiplex RealTime-PCR tests. Results will be then immediately transferred to any device with BT or USB connection and installed app.

It will help agriculture producers to effectively manage their fields, prevent damage and timely react to pest risk. This system-based perspective linking food security, to agricultural productivity, food safety, and supply chain efficiency, will also contribute to protecting the health of agriculture producers and consumers.

The most common method to assess the crop condition, eye assessment, is prone to bias during a pathogen’s latent stage and depends on the producer’s expertise. Testing methods such as microbiological culture have a long time-to-result, and faster tests, such as antibody/immunoassay have poor sensitivity and allow to look generally for only one pathogen at a time. On the other hand, molecular methods offer the possibility of faster, more reliable and efficient tests, yet they require skilled molecular biologists and remain expensive. This implies that the test cannot be performed by a grower in the field to monitor pathogens. Terrabio addresses this technical challenge and will reduce the cost per sample down to a price point that potentially will spur widespread adoption in the food industry.

Our business model is highly scalable because we address needs in a large global food testing market and will partner with experienced distributors that have a reach into international markets and manufacturers with production capacity. Further scaling up of the Terrabio business model is also driven by the versatility of the system. Currently, it enables the detection of pathogens in water, soil, food, and plants but the molecular approach can be used for testing any biological material.