Southwest Regional PCR first began utilizing the combination of both PCR and NGS for identifying microbes in this 2-step process in 2010 under the commercialization name PathoGenius. In 2017, the laboratory was purchased by Rick Martin, the head of commercialization for this testing and rebranded as Southwest Regional PCR dba MicroGenDX.
Since rebranding and new leadership was put in place the laboratory has grown in scale and reach to assist physicians, specialties and infection types both nationally and internationally.
MicroGenDX is a molecular diagnostic laboratory that utilizes both Rapid qPCR Screening and Next-Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS) to identify all microbes within a sample taken from the site of infections. Our commitment to delivering the highest level of diagnostic data is why we utilize our 2-Part process of qPCR Rapid screening panel testing and NGS testing that uses our own curated database of 50,000+ bacterial and fungal microbial species.
This is in addition to providing 17 antibiotic resistance genes gives physicians a complete and actionable diagnostic data which is essential for treatment decisions. In short, we give physicians the answers they need to provide targeted treatments to patients burdened with tough to treat infections. If your patient is not responding to treatment and culture tests keep coming back negative, ask yourself, “what am I missing and could NGS tell me something I need to know?”
MicroGenDX laboratory has run over 400,000+ Next Generation DNA Sequencing tests at our state-of-the-art, CAP-accredited, CLIA-licensed molecular diagnostic facility. Our advanced instrumentation, including Illumina Miseq sequencers provides the industry’s most informative microbial diagnostics for ENT, microbiology laboratories, orthopedic, urology, wound care, podiatry, and other areas of medicine.
Our laboratory is backed by a team of molecular biologists, biochemists, bioinformaticians, computer scientists, and physicians. MicroGenDX employs over 100 passionate employees lead by a leadership model designed to swiftly adapt to global health concerns to ensure our technology is used to help as many people as possible when it comes to microbial identification to help with tough to treat infections.
Within the first few weeks of the COVID-19 global pandemic, our team of specialists validated a real-time Reverse Transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR) assay for the specific detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus using saliva, sputum and nasal swabs.
We increased laboratory capacity in response to the pandemic, allowing us to run over 10,000 samples a day. Our rapid COVID-19 PCR test is FDA EUA approved and has a 24-hour turnaround from time of sample receipt.
During this unprecedented time, we will continue to offer our normal PCR and Next Generation DNA Sequencing testing services in the areas of ENT/AFB, Pulmonary, ExPlants, Microbiology Lab services, Oral, Orthopedic, Podiatry/Nail, Urology, OB/GYN and Wound Care for infectious disease detection.
MicroGenDX Laboratory is located at 2002 West Loop 289 Suite 116 Lubbock TX, 79407. Our lab space is divided into a molecular core lab, a reagent lab, general laboratory space, and a Next Generation Sequencing infrastructure that includes all of the latest platforms for sequencing by synthesis; including a Roche Genome Sequencer FLX 454 pyrosequencer, a Roche Genome Sequencer FLX+ (plus) and the Illumina MiSeq personal Sequencer. We are committed by our effort to stay with up to date with world-class bioinstrumentation.
If you need a facilities statement, please contact our Research Division here.
Southwest Regional PCR Laboratory LLC dba MicroGenDX® Laboratory is a CAP accredited, CLIA licensed clinical diagnostic laboratory providing physicians and their patients with the most advanced molecular based microbial testing available. The laboratory utilizes molecular diagnostics and specializes in Next Generation DNA Sequencing technologies to identify pathogenic microbes within patient samples.
MicroGenDX® is currently licensed to provide these services in 49 of the 50 states, with New York being the exception. Most states do not require additional licensure beyond CAP accreditation and CLIA licensing.
Click links below to see current images of our licenses, or contact us with specific questions regarding your location.
Next-Gen DNA Sequencing molecular microbial diagnostic tests are offered at MicroGenDX®. In our process analysis of the microbial DNA is extracted from the patient’s swab, washing, or tissue sample. The microbial DNA is then analyzed using molecular diagnostic methods.
The report contains information about the microbial organisms detected, gene resistance detected, and is accompanied with an Antimicrobial Recommendations Sheet.
The PCR Rapid Screening Rapid Screen diagnostic panels are designed for each specific application to screen for about 24 of the most commonly identified microbes of concern in that field of medicine using quantitative PCR. Thus, the PCR Rapid Screening Wound panel is different from the PCR Rapid Screening ENT panel.
The PCR report will also detect the presence of 17 different Resistance Genes. The genes we can identify are: Quinolone, Methicillin, Vancomycin, Beta-lactam, Carbapenem, Macrolide, Aminoglycoside, Tetracycline, Bactrim, ESBL or Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (CTX-M).
The Comprehensive Sequencing test will detect virtually all microbial organisms and fungal pathogens that may be present in patient specimens. Microbial DNA in each sample will be sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq sequencer in order to establish what type of bacterial and fungal species are present.
Forward and reverse primers are used to detect and amplify the target sequence in each sample. The samples are differentiated from each other when run on the MiSeq sequencer by a “tag,” a unique identifying sequence attached to the forward and reverse primers implemented when the targeted sequence is amplified using polymerase chain reaction or PCR. The PCR contains a 5 minute denaturation step at 95˚C, 35 cycles of 94˚C for 30 seconds, 52˚C for 40 seconds, and 72˚C for 60 seconds, and a final extension step of 72˚C for 10 minutes.
After the sample DNA has been amplified and each sample has its own unique sequence tag, the sample DNA can be pooled together based on amplification strength for downstream applications. Purification of the pooled DNA will be done by removing small fragments using both Agencourt Ampure beads and Qiagen Minelute kit. The DNA is quantified and prepared for sequencing. Finally, the DNA library is run on the MiSeq sequencer.
The Illumina MiSeq sequencer uses bridge PCR to generate clusters for each of the specimens present in the DNA library and amplify their sequences. Once those clusters are formed, sequencing begins through the incorporation of fluorescently labelled nucleotides with reverse terminators and those fluorescent signals are captured by the MiSeq’s camera.
The reverse terminator attached to each nucleotide allows the addition of just one nucleotide per cycle and removes the problem with homopolymers that is suffered from other sequencing platforms. In addition, the MiSeq sequencer reads both strands, forward and reverse, of DNA, which provides an increase in accuracy and a decrease in error rate.
Now that you have learned more about us and the amazing technology we use, get started today to asses your oral microbiome health.
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