This technology delivers rapid, sequence-based detection of Candida auris (recently reclassified as Candidozyma auris) across both clinical and environmental samples, with simultaneous profiling of antifungal resistance. Unlike culture and organism-only PCR panels, it extends surveillance from the individual patient to the whole community through validated wastewater monitoring, giving hospitals and public health agencies earlier warning of this emerging multidrug-resistant threat.
The Invention
The invention combines molecular detection of C. auris with genomic identification of mutations linked to antifungal resistance in a single workflow. It resolves species-level presence and resistance-associated variants directly from diverse sample types, including clinical specimens and untreated wastewater.
Market Opportunity
The rise of multidrug-resistant Candida auris has created strong demand for rapid diagnostic and resistance detection tools. Hospitals, clinical laboratories, and public health agencies need faster testing solutions to control outbreaks, improve patient outcomes, and support antimicrobial stewardship efforts.
Applications
●Screening of patients and healthcare environments for Candida auris colonization
●Clinical diagnosis to assist in appropriate antifungal therapy selection
●Surveillance and outbreak management in hospitals and public health settings
Key Benefits
●Rapid and accurate detection of Candida auris directly from diverse sample sources
●Early identification of antifungal resistance mutations, facilitating targeted treatment
●Enhanced infection control through timely screening and monitoring in healthcare environments
Lead Inventor: Edwin Oh
A researcher with expertise in functional genomics, infectious diseases, clean water and wastewater initiatives, schizophrenia and autism research, addiction science, and precision medicine, focused on advancing innovative solutions to complex health and environmental challenges.
Development and Intellectual Property Status
US Application 63/823,068, Filed 6/13/2025
PCT/US26/32525, Filed 6/12/2026
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS
Available Technologies
