- Home
- Companies
- BCR Diagnostics Inc
- Products
- BCR - Model F-Spores - Phenotypically ...
BCR - Model F-Spores - Phenotypically Engineered Bacterial Spores
F-spores are phenotypically engineered bacterial spores that function as self-reporters of germination (PLoS ONE 5, e9283, 2010). F-spores have a unique property of being fluorogenic, i.e., they are non-fluorescent when dormant, but produce intense fluorescence a few minutes after the onset of germination.
Biological Indicators – e.g., BCR-30-min BI
Biological indicators (BIs) are test systems used to monitor sterilization processes in health care facilities. BIs contain spores of heat-resistant bacteria, e.g. Geobacillus stearothermophilus. After sterilization, the number of surviving spores is measured. There are many different commercial BIs with a broad range of performance and cost. The CDC regulates the use of BIs in healthcare facilities.
LEXSAS (label-free exponential signal-amplification system)
Biosensing system for detecting low levels of bacteria in real-time. The system exploits the F-spore’s ability to produce fluorescence when sensing a germinant. The LEXSAS has been used for identifying bacterially contaminated platelet concentrates used for transfusion, because the system offers rapid analysis, high sensitivity, and low cost https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12480543.