Source Molecular Obtains License for EPA’s New Dog Test

MIAMI - May 1, 2015 - PRLog -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given Source Molecular Corporation an official license to use the new genetic testing method they developed to specifically detect canine fecal contamination in water. This new Dog test is more specific and sensitive than previous PCR assays.

Last year, EPA scientists Hyatt C. Green, Karen M. White, Cathy A. Kelty, and Orin C. Shanks of the National Risk Management Research Laboratory in Cincinnati, Ohio, noted that older methods look for bacteria found primarily in the intestinal tracts of dogs and end up in their feces.  But oftentimes, microorganisms of humans and their pet dogs often overlap creating the possibility that the bacteria detected in the fecal matter could come from either dogs or humans. The EPA had a breakthrough when they successfully identified 11 genetic markers that showed up in most of the dog samples but were not found in the human samples.

This new EPA Dog Test is a game-changer. With the test's increased accuracy, watershed managers will have more confidence that the fecal markers found in their water samples came from canine waste.

Source Molecular is offering this new EPA Dog test along with other EPA-patented tests for of Human, Cattle and Chicken fecal pollution.  Source Molecular has been working closely with the EPA for quite some time now, providing assistance with regards to microbial source tracking (MST) development.  The EPA is on a mission to develop and improve MST techniques that can discriminate between different animal fecal pollution sources.  The EPA believes this could greatly enhance water quality management on a national scale as the transmission of waterborne diseases resulting from contact with surface waters contaminated with fecal pollution remains a public and ecological health issue nationwide.

Source Molecular’s laboratory also has the ability to detect Swine, Gull, Goose, Deer, Elk, Horse, Bird, Beaver and Ruminant, using only the most scientifically rigorous (i.e. published and peer-reviewed) molecular analytical methods to identify any contamination with high confidence. Its onsite collection of reference fecal samples obtained from throughout the North America, as well as a network of partners with additional fecal samples, allows it to better validate the performance of the fecal markers. It also has a database of thousands of internal and external validation tests performed on its suite of existing markers, allowing it to better select which tests are appropriate for a project based on local concentrations of the markers.  Source Molecular’s unparalleled customer service also gives it an edge in the microbial source tracking industry, with clients expressing satisfaction over the level of support provided to them as they conducted their projects.