OREANDA-NEWS. October 1, 2012. GE Healthcare Life Sciences, a business unit of GE Healthcare (NYSE: GE) and NetBio, a leading technology provider in the emerging field of rapid DNA analysis, announced today the launch of DNAscan™ Rapid DNA Analysis™ System, a fast, rugged and easy-to-use DNA analysis instrument for forensic applications. The DNAscan Rapid DNA Analysis System is the first product to result from the alliance between the two companies, which combines the world-class sample collection capabilities of GE Healthcare Life Sciences with NetBio’s innovative DNA analysis technologies. The system is being showcased today at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference and Law Enforcement Education and Technology Exposition in San Diego, California and from 15-18 October at the International Symposium on Human Identification in Nashville, Tennessee.

The DNAscan Rapid Analysis System has been developed to enable law enforcement agencies to process DNA samples in the police booking station or forensic laboratory and generate results in 84 minutes, thereby helping to accelerate the criminal investigation process. The system couples the all-in-one DNAscan BioChipSetTM Cassette, a disposable lab-on-a-chip that is preloaded with all required reagents with the DNAscan Rapid DNA Analysis instrument. No specialized laboratory facilities, refrigeration or technical personnel are needed to run the system, and users will have access to GE Healthcare Life Sciences’ experienced global service and support organization. The system is specifically designed to meet US Military standards for protection from shock and vibration and ease-of-use requirements for efficient field deployment. The system maintains chain of custody throughout the process through the use of specialised RFID-tagged DNA collection swabs.

Commenting on the launch, Richard Dool, General Manager, Consumables, GE Healthcare Life Sciences said, “We’re delighted to announce this first product from our alliance with NetBio. The DNAscan Rapid DNA Analysis System combines the scientific capabilities of both organizations into a simple to use and rugged product that has the potential to speed up criminal investigations.”

Dr. James Schumm, Vice President of Molecular Biology, NetBio added, “NetBio’s technology is based on combining a large number of complex DNA processing steps into a fully-automated, fully-integrated system for rapid DNA analysis. DNA analysis has revolutionized the field of forensics over the past two decades, and partnering with GE Healthcare has the potential to accelerate the pace of this revolution, by launching DNAscan Rapid DNA Analysis System to provide law enforcement agencies and forensic laboratories with faster results.”

Today, DNA analysis is widely used by law enforcement agencies and forensic laboratories to identify potential suspects and to support criminal investigations. At present, DNA samples collected by law enforcement officers are sent to specialized forensic laboratories for analysis, with results usually returned in one week to several months.