FieldQuant™ is a portable and field-ready qPCR unit that provides a flexibility in onsite microbial DNA analysis that was never previously achievable. After testing numerous technologies over the past decade, Microbial Insights has developed a field-based molecular method that meets the data quality criteria necessary for the many industries we serve.
Imagine sampling a pipeline in the middle of a desert for corrosion risk assessment or hiking miles into protected wetlands for environmental monitoring. For standard laboratory qPCR analysis those samples are collected, sometimes chemically preserved, placed on ice, and transported offsite so that they can be shipped to one of our worldwide locations. With the FieldQuant™ system, the DNA can be extracted and analyzed at the point of collection, answering key questions within a day rather than weeks. Since the extracted DNA will be shipped back to MI for long term storage, you will always be able to go back and add new targets or perform the analysis once your other sample parameters are in (VOC data, geochemistry, etc). Your sample integrity is protected. You can also use the field generated data to efficiently select which samples to perform additional laboratory analysis. Fewer samples to transport means fewer shipping headaches, fewer preservation concerns, and quicker decision making.
The FieldQuant™ system allows a user to analyze key gene targets at a lower price point than standard laboratory qPCR analysis. This accessibility allows site managers to perform DNA analysis of a limited target set across an entire site, the results of which can be used to prioritize additional in-depth analyses at select sampling locations.
Rent a FieldQuant™ for a week and analyze 12 or more samples per project. In advance, you will select from one of the following groupings of gene targets for each sample:
| Product | Use | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Chlor-1 | For anaerobic chlorinated solvent degradation. | DHC, TCE, VCR |
| Petro-1 | For aerobic petroleum hydrocarbon degradation. | PHE, RMO, RDEG |
| MIC-1 | For microbiologically influenced corrosion. | EBAC, APS, IRB |
After obtaining each sample, users will follow simple steps to extract the DNA in the field, on the tailgate of their truck, or even back at their hotel room. The FieldQuant™ can then be used to analyze three samples at a time for the groupings of gene targets that were pre-selected. Never used the FieldQuant™ before? No problem. The app will walk you through the procedure so even someone with no laboratory experience can run it.
Once the samples are analyzed, the user submits the data to Microbial Insights and a report is generated and sent to the designated report recipient within 24 business hours.
Use the reported actionable data to make fast decisions in order to achieve key strategic goals for your project.
A very small amount of the isolated DNA is used for FieldQuant™ analysis. When returning the FieldQuant™ equipment, the remaining isolated DNA for each sample will be shipped to Microbial Insights as well. Upon arrival, a critical preservative will be added to the DNA and the samples will be archived. This allows the user to release certain samples for additional in-depth laboratory analysis as needed.
For the first time in history you have the quality and reputation of Microbial Insights’ gene target assays combined with the flexibility of a field-based technology – all, quite literally, in the palm of your hand.