Pathogen Detection with the BAX® System Q7

The BAX System uses the power of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to automatically amplify and detect targeted bacterial DNA. First, the DNA is amplified through a series of timed heating and cooling cycles. These cycles produce an exponential increase in the number of targeted DNA fragments, if present, creating millions of copies in a very short time. If the target sequence is present, the BAX System automatically detects the amplified fragments by measuring a fluorescent signal within the sample. If the target sequence is not present, no detectable amplification takes place.

The BAX System Q7 instrument uses optimized PCR assays (sold separately) that target specific DNA fragments unique to each target organism, providing a stable, reliable indicator that the organism is present and vastly reducing the potential for cross reactions with similar organisms. To further simplify the process, the BAX System assays provide all requisite PCR primers, polymerase and nucleotides as a stable, dry, manufactured tablet in sealed PCR tubes to eliminate the need for reagent preparation. After amplification, these tubes remain sealed for the detection phase, significantly reducing the potential for sample or laboratory contamination with the amplified PCR product.