API Technology

API's mission is to identify and commercialize the most effective risk-assessment technologies for improving animal health management. While the company's primary focus is Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) for cattle, the company is developing other technologies for early disease detection, such as oxidative stress measurement for Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) and antibody measurement for Johne's disease.

Our Technologies

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a technique widely used in molecular biology. It derives its name from one of its key components, a DNA polymerase used to amplify a piece of DNA by in vitro enzymatic replication. As PCR progresses, the DNA generated is used as a template for replication. This sets in motion a chain reaction in which the DNA template is exponentially amplified. With PCR it is possible to amplify a single or few copies of a piece of DNA across several orders of magnitude, generating millions or more copies of the DNA piece. PCR can be extensively modified to perform a wide array of genetic manipulations. This technology has brought API to the forefront of advancing programs to assist in the health and performance of all cattle and dairy herds.

• Magnetic beads, the newest technology in nucleic acid isolation. A key component in achieving reliable PCR results is the isolation of the nucleic acid sample for amplification. The magnetic bead technology allows the isolation step of our process to be fully automated and reduces variability in a process that by hand is very technically demanding and labor intensive. The magnetic bead processor yields a sample that is cleaner and more abundant in a fraction of the time.

• ELISA methodology immunoassays are quick and accurate tests that can be used on-site and in the laboratory to detect specific molecules. Immunoassays rely on the inherent ability of an antibody to bind to the specific structure of a molecule. Antibodies are proteins generated by animals in response to the invasion of a foreign molecule (antigen) into the body. Antibodies are found in blood and tissue fluids and will bind to the antigen whenever it is encountered. Because antibodies are developed based on the specific three-dimensional structure of an antigen, or analyte, they are highly specific and will bind only to that structure. Once purified from the blood, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies are ideal assay reagents to detect and monitor specific target molecules with limited interferences from other substances.

Universities and Researchers

API is interested in funding and development of selected assays that may benefit the food animal industry. If you or your organization have developed or are developing a novel approach for a specific assay, we are interested in the opportunity to work together to commercialize your ideas and advance health and performance of animals. Contact us by email: ; or by telephone at (503) 247-8066.

While API's initial focus is on technologies for the cattle industry we are evaluating new approaches for animal health management for horses, swine and domestic pets as well. Please contact us if your research complements our goals.