RHEONIX

Developing fully automated sequencing preparation for molecular diagnostics

Rheonix is a diagnostics company that makes robotic devices and assays to diagnose disease and detect food spoilage and contamination. Their platform technology is based around microfluidics, using disposable Rheonix CARD® cartridges that can perform multiple different kinds of chemical and biological reactions in one sealed unit.

UB BEP_Rheonix and Lab 11.29.18, Nancy J Parisi.
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How Rheonix collaborates with UB

CHALLENGE & OPPORTUNITY

Simplifying sequencing prep

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis is a relatively new and complex method of molecular diagnostic testing, but one that is growing rapidly in popularity. It has the potential to significantly increase standards of care through “personalized medicine,” or customized disease treatment based on an individual’s particular genes or the mutant genes present in a tumor. 

Genomic and transcriptomic testing can already be used to rapidly diagnose infectious diseases like COVID-19, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, hereditary genetic disorders and cancer. But today’s standard methods for DNA and RNA library preparation for NGS involve a complex and time-consuming multi-step workflow with a high cost per sample.

UB BEP_Rheonix and Lab 11.29.18, Nancy J Parisi.
A lab run by SUNY Upstate Medical University and Syracuse-based Quadrant Biosciences, and operating in Farber Hall opened in April 2021. The lab greatly increases SUNY’s COVID-19 surveillance testing capacity and can process up to 150,000 saliva tests per week. Photographer: Douglas Levere.

SOLUTION & OUTCOME

Expedited diagnostic testing

Rheonix was founded with the mission to address barriers preventing the adoption of high-quality, sensitive molecular testing by making a simple, user-friendly and low-cost device. Using the company's proprietary CARD® cartridges, Rheonix’s Encompass MDx® and Encompass Optimum™ diagnostic testing systems are designed to run up to 24 biological or clinical samples through a fully automated series of reactions, simplifying assay protocols. The systems expedite a process that would usually take a skilled laboratory scientist hours of hands-on time and turn it into a hands-free process that requires minimal effort to set up and start.

UB SUPPORT

Partnering on biotech R&D

Working with UB, Rheonix gained access to the university’s leading-edge sequencing core facility and high-performance computing center, along with invaluable feedback from research experts, market analyses and project funding. UB experts were instrumental in helping Rheonix identify user requirements, fine-tune product development and provide critical data and advice to enhance, simplify and expedite library preparation. Rheonix also received guidance from UB in navigating the FDA regulatory approval process. With UB’s help, the life sciences company was able to rapidly develop a new product line, the NGS OnePrep™ solution, with the potential to accelerate biomedical research and diagnosis.

UB BEP_Rheonix and Lab 11.29.18, Nancy J Parisi.

When businesses and universities join forces, great impacts result

Resources for discovery and growth

CAT.

Secure matching funds for research and development support through the Center for Advanced Technology in Big Data & Health Sciences.

CBLS.

Grow your business with the help of experts, cutting-edge facilities and equipment, advanced genomic and proteomic capabilities and funding through our Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences.

Royalty-free stock photo ID: 2025910556 Scientist pipetting sample into a vial for DNA testing.

Take your research to the next level with state-of-the art instrumentation and expertise in our Genomics and Bioinformatics Core.