October, 2022 - Perth, Australia: Biotome has installed the first LiCor Odyssey M multimodal imager in Australia. The new imager fills a critical role in their ongoing project to help develop and validate a rapid diagnostic test for sepsis.
The scanner is capable of scanning 18 imaging channels, including near-infrared and visible fluorescence, bioluminescence and chemiluminescence, and RGB true colour. Thanks to its line confocal scanning system with sCMOS sensor technology, the imager offers an industry-leading 5-micron resolution.
"This instrument unlocks research into diagnostic platforms previously unavailable in our lab. We will be using the Odyssey M to assist Dr. Andrew Currie and his team develop a rapid diagnostic for sepsis.” - Luke Marshall, Head of Business Development.
The team at Biotome have affectionately dubbed the new device, “Firetail”, in homage to a local bird: the beautiful, red-eared firetail. While the imager is elegant and impressive, it does not live up to the delightful appearance of its namesake. Unlike the Odyssey M, the bird has not been observed imaging its environment with multiple high-precision lasers.
Murdoch immunologist Dr Andrew Currie and aptamer technology expert Associate Professor Rakesh Veedu are leading the team to develop new sepsis tests for frontline staff in hospitals and GP clinics. This work is being funded by a $1 million “ideas” grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Due to its extremely fast progression, sepsis must be diagnosed quickly. Existing diagnostics are limited and can take hours, a delay which can prove fatal. A rapid, early diagnostic for sepsis has the potential to save many lives.
Artistic impression of “Firetail”, the new multimodal imager installed in the labs at Biotome. (Dalle-2 / OpenAI)