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Our story

Fluid-Screen is a spin-off of Yale University and launched as an independent entrepreneurial venture.

We questioned why bacteria-related illnesses occurred so frequently and took so long to treat. Typically, detecting bacterial contamination requires culturing samples on a Petri dish. This sample preparation step takes several days to achieve pure culture prior to DNA analysis. Recognizing the importance of early detection in order to decrease time to treatment, Fluid Screen sought to replace the 130-year-old Petri dish with a microchip.  

During the construction of the first prototype, widespread foodborne illness struck Europe. Within a few weeks, thousands of people fell ill from water and food contamination. Health officials faced containment issues, as the cause, E. coli, was not identified due to the time it takes to get information using traditional methods. The delay in information resulted in 53 confirmed deaths. Fluid Screen resolved to move forward with its lab on a chip technology to help ensure that delays in bacterial detection became a thing of the past.

Using electric fields to control bacterial motion in water, we discovered a method of concentrating and detecting bacteria in fluid samples. Her technology detects bacterial contamination in minutes, with greater than 99% accuracy.