Pressure BioSciences PCT Platform Results in a Promising New
Method for Improved Extraction of DNA from Rape Kits and other
Forensic Samples
Novel PCT-enhanced Method for Selective Extraction of DNA from
Male or Female Cells Collected on Cotton Swabs Published in
Major Scientific Journal
South Easton, MA -- July 7, 2015 -- InvestorsHub NewsWire --
Pressure BioSciences, Inc. (OTCQB:
PBIO) (PBI and the Company), a leader in the development and
sale of broadly enabling, pressure cycling technology (PCT)-based
sample preparation solutions to the worldwide life sciences
industry, today announced the development of a two-step,
PCT-enhanced method for the selective differential extraction of
male or female DNA from mixtures of sperm and vaginal epithelial
cells recovered from cotton swabs. The results of the study were
recently published in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, a
leading peer-reviewed scientific journal. The authors of the paper
were Dr. Deepthi V. Nori and Dr. Bruce R. McCord of the Department
of Chemistry, Florida International University (FIU).
For years, biological samples for forensic analysis (e.g., body
fluids) have been collected using cotton swabs. Unfortunately,
sample recovery (e.g., cells, DNA) from these swabs can be
cumbersome, time-consuming, difficult, and expensive. Often the
biological sample is trapped in the swabs cotton fibers, resulting
in a loss of precious evidence. Over the years, there have been
many attempts to develop new methods to improve the speed and
quality and to reduce the cost of recovering biological samples
from cotton swabs, including the recovery of DNA from swabs taken
after a sexual assault.
Dr. McCord, Associate Director of FIUs International Forensic
Research Institute (IFRI) and principal investigator of the study,
said: Our study presents a novel technique to extract biological
fluids from cotton swabs with high recovery, using PCT combined
with alkaline lysis. This new method has shown decreased processing
times and higher yields while using inexpensive reagents on a
semi-automated platform. Although there is still work to be done,
results to date indicate this PCT-based technique is a promising
new method for extraction of DNA from forensic evidentiary
materials, including rape kits.
News reports point to a current national backlog of more than
400,000 untested rape kits, sitting in storage and awaiting
processing and analysis. Unfortunately, each untested kit may be
allowing a rapist to remain free. New sexual assault cases,
estimated at 180,000 annually, tragically add to this backlog.
Mr. Richard T. Schumacher, President and CEO of PBI, said: We
believe this novel, PCT-dependent method represents a potential
breakthrough in the recovery of high quality DNA from cotton swabs.
Next steps will be to optimize and streamline the method. To that
end, we have begun discussions to formalize the relationship
between PBI and Dr. McCord/FIU into a mutually-beneficial
collaboration agreement. We believe that by combining capabilities,
knowledge, and our shared interest in an effective outcome, we can
more efficiently move this method down the path to potential
commercialization.
Mr. Schumacher continued: Future commercialization of this
novel, PCT-based method could potentially provide significant new
business channels for PBI in important forensic applications, such
as touch DNA and rape kit testing. We believe the forensics market
consists of hundreds of labs in the US, performing thousands of
tests on a routine basis. Thus, in addition to instrument sales, we
also see the potential for single-use consumables and other
reagents that are proprietary to our PCT platform.
About Florida International University
Florida International University (FIU) is recognized as a
Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university
with colleges and schools that
offer more than 180 bachelors, masters and
doctoral programs in fields such as engineering,
international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of
South Floridas anchor institutions, FIU contributes $8.9 billion
each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding
solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU
emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has
awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students
in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on
Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also
supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three
museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art
Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and
the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU.
FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over
400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more
information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu.
About the International Forensic Research Institute
The International Forensic Research Institute (IFRI) serves
local and national law enforcement efforts in the application of
scientific principles to the administration of justice. The mission
of this self-supporting institute is to conduct original research
in forensic science, transfer technologies from other scientific
disciplines for use in forensic applications, provide scientific
expertise to the law enforcement and legal community and to provide
needed continuing education and advanced training to practicing
scientists. IFRI provides undergraduate, master, and doctoral level
programs in forensic science.
About Pressure BioSciences, Inc.
Pressure BioSciences, Inc. (PBI) (OTCQB:
PBIO) develops, markets, and sells proprietary laboratory
instrumentation and associated consumables to the estimated $6
billion life sciences sample preparation market. Our products are
based on the unique properties of both constant (i.e., static) and
alternating (i.e., pressure cycling technology, or PCT) hydrostatic
pressure. PCT is a patented enabling technology platform that uses
alternating cycles of hydrostatic pressure between ambient and
ultra-high levels to safely and reproducibly control bio-molecular
interactions. To date, we have installed over 250 PCT systems in
approximately 160 sites worldwide. There are over 100 publications
citing the advantages of the PCT platform over competitive methods,
many from key opinion leaders. Our primary application development
and sales efforts are in the biomarker discovery and forensics
areas. Customers also use our products in other areas, such as drug
discovery & design, bio-therapeutics characterization, soil
& plant biology, vaccine development, histology, and forensic
applications.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding PBI's
intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, or predictions of the
future are "forward-looking'' statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements
are based upon the Company's current expectations, forecasts, and
assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other
factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ
materially from those indicated by these forward-looking
statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include,
but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed under
the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and other reports filed
by the Company from time to time with the SEC. The Company
undertakes no obligation to update any of the information included
in this release, except as otherwise required by law.
For more information about PBI and this press release, please
click on the following website link:
http://www.pressurebiosciences.com
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Investor Contacts:
Richard T. Schumacher, President and CEO, PBI (508) 230-1828
(T)
Ayleen Barbel Fattal, PR & Marketing Coordinator, FIU (305)
348-4492 (T)