15-MINUTE DISEASE TEST COULD TRANSFORM AQUACULTURE HEALTH SCREENING

15-minute disease test could transform aquaculture health screening

WildTechDNA launches handheld platform capable of screening for multiple pathogens on site

Aquaculture producers could gain access to faster and broader disease screening following the launch of a new handheld DNA testing platform that can deliver results in around 15 minutes.

WildTechDNA has developed ORYA, a multi-pathogen screening system designed to allow producers to test for multiple relevant pathogens in a single test without the need for conventional laboratory infrastructure or specialist molecular expertise.

The company says the simple, cost-effective system could enable more frequent health surveillance and give farmers earlier warning of potential disease threats.

Faster answers on the farm

ORYA is designed to combine rapid testing with broader pathogen coverage, allowing samples to be screened directly on site.

Potential applications include routine health surveillance, investigating suspected disease, checking stock movements and responding more quickly when pathogens are identified in nearby farms or facilities.

Keith Liddiard, co-founder of WildTechDNA, said the key advantage of the technology was not simply its speed.

“The important thing about ORYA is not simply that it is fast,” he said. “It is the combination of speed, breadth and simplicity.

“If producers can screen several important pathogens on site and in around 15 minutes, they get a much clearer picture of what is happening while there is still time to act.”

Initial focus on salmon and shrimp

WildTechDNA will initially target ORYA at dedicated salmon and shrimp applications, although the company says the platform can be adapted to other aquaculture species and pathogen targets.

The technology is based on WildTechDNA’s instrument-free DNA detection platform, using isothermal DNA amplification to provide molecular testing outside conventional laboratory environments.

For aquaculture producers, the ability to obtain pathogen screening results rapidly could help support earlier investigation and decision-making, particularly where disease outbreaks can have significant consequences for fish health, production and business performance.

The technology has already attracted industry recognition, having been shortlisted as a finalist in the forthcoming Responsible Seafood Innovation Awards.

WildTechDNA is now inviting farmers and distributors to register for priority notification about ORYA.

The company will also be demonstrating the technology at the Responsible Seafood Summit in Bangkok from 21–24 September.

Find out more about ORYA and WildTechDNA’s aquaculture testing platform

Main Image © WildTechDNA