Precision diagnostics reimagined for rapid disease detection

The article reports researcher Shanmukha Sreenivas Madras is developing adjusted culture methods and multiplex qPCR assays to speed molecular diagnosis and has created quality-management frameworks to support clinical validation.

Speed and practicality are driving changes in molecular diagnostics for infectious disease. The article reports Shanmukha Sreenivas Madras focuses on applying microbiology and molecular methods to real clinical-lab constraints, including workflow and regulatory challenges. He has explored how altering culture conditions, notably oxygen levels, can improve growth for some organisms and shorten test development time. His work also includes multiplex qPCR assay development and quality-management documentation to aid validation and compliance. Key points: - Madras works at the intersection of microbiology, molecular biology and diagnostics and emphasizes real-world lab needs. - The article reports his team found that adjusting oxygen levels in culture can improve growth for organisms such as Mycobacterium genavense. - He has helped develop multiplex qPCR assays that detect multiple pathogens and resistance genes in a single run, with reported strong target detection under controlled conditions. - Project reports say he developed documentation and workflow systems to help labs meet standards such as ISO and QSR and to streamline validation. - These methods are reported to have applications beyond hospitals, including biotech, pharmaceutical research, and monitoring resistance patterns during drug development. Summary: The reported work aims to bring laboratory advances into clinical settings by prioritizing speed, usability, and regulatory fit. Continued research and implementation will shape how broadly these methods are adopted. Undetermined at this time.