Groundbreaking invention will lead to faster testing of E. coli bacteria in recreational waters
The company is a spin-off from McMaster University and was created “organically,” says InnovoGENE CEO Kha Tram. It all started when Kha was completing his PhD at McMaster and was looking to develop technology that could quickly identify E. coli in food. He realized the same technology could be used to rapidly test bacteria in water — and InnovoGENE was born.
“The current method for testing E. coli bacteria in recreational waters is by collecting a water sample and shipping it to an accredited lab,” says Kha. The sample is then reviewed overnight, with the turnaround time being 24 to 72 hours. InnovoGENE’s technology “eliminates the wait time,” cites Kha. “City staff can take our kit and go to the site and get the results in a couple of hours.”
The company partnered with Mitacs’ Accelerate internship program to bring McMaster researcher Dingran Chang on board to conduct field testing. “As a small start-up, securing funding can be difficult. Collaborating with Mitacs allowed us to bring on a skilled researcher who has been instrumental in collecting water samples and analyzing them,” says Kha. “I don’t think the project would have progressed without his help. His research is helping validate the technology.”
Since the Accelerate project, InnovoGENE has been forming partnerships with local municipalities to analyze civic sites. The company is currently working with Niagara Region Public Health to study four of local swimming sites. Kha says he hopes one day the technology will be available worldwide:
“Water is an important resource. People shouldn’t have to worry if they’re going to get sick from it when they go for a swim. Our technology can help municipalities to quickly determine whether the water is safe, warn the public earlier, when needed, and allow people to enjoy our beautiful lakes and rivers.”
Mitacs thanks the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario for their support of the Accelerate research internship in this story. Across Canada, the Accelerate program also receives support from Alberta Innovates, the Government of British Columbia, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Prince Edward Island, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan and Research Manitoba.
Do you have a business challenge that could benefit from a research solution? If so, contact Mitacs today to discuss partnership opportunities: BD@mitacs.ca
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