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The unique blue blood of the Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) provides the medical industry with one of the most accurate methods of testing for dangerous endotoxins; however, industrial demands of this ecologically important creature cannot be sustained at current levels. Kepley BioSystems believes that engaging in thoughtful husbandry and applying innovative bleeding approaches can ensure species viability and well-being, as well as an increased supply of this vital resource.
With funding from the National Science Foundation, the team at Kepley BioSystems seeks to build upon current research and early testing to utilize this resource to develop a rapid and sensitive diagnostic for detecting bloodstream infections. This diagnostic would quickly alert medical professionals to bloodborne pathogens in patients allowing for administration of more informed and timely treatments. Such a tool holds untold potential as the medical community looks to fight the looming threat of Antimicrobial Resistance and the ever-present dangers of health-care associated infections such as sepsis, the number one cause of untimely death in today's hospitals.