LOS ANGELES, Oct. 19, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Universal Detection Technology (http://www.udetection.com) (OTCBB:UDTT), a developer and provider of early-warning monitoring technologies to protect people from bioterrorism and radiological weapons, reported on the most recent advances on the development of the Microbial Event Monitor (MEM) Project. The MEM is designed to monitor the air for airborne bacteria including the deadly MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). The technology is under exclusive license to UDTT from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Office of Technology Transfer and is protected under a provisional patent.
The technology originated out of NASA's concern of Microbial buildup in closed-loop environments such as the International Space Station. Such buildups are detrimental to the health of the astronauts. UDTT licensed the technology in February 2006 and commenced the commercialization of the technology into an airborne monitor for indoor bacterial levels. The technology has been successfully tested by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the Environmental Control and Life Support System at Marshall Space Flight Center.
According to a recent paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the MRSA microbe, a strain of a once harmless staph bacterium that has become invulnerable to first-line antibiotics, is responsible for more than 94,000 serious infections and nearly 19,000 deaths each year. Recent reports also indicate the spread of MRSA into the nation's schools including a recent fatal case in a Virginia high school.
"We have been aware of the threat of MRSA for some time now and have actively pursued the development of technology to measure airborne microbe levels," said Mr. Amir Ettehadieh, UDTT's Director of Research and Development. "Our goal is to have a system that would warn hospital officials of elevated microbe levels thus triggering sterilization of the premises before widespread infection," he added.
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About Universal Detection Technology
Universal Detection Technology is a developer of monitoring technologies, including bioterrorism detection devices. The Company on its own and with development partners is positioned to capitalize on opportunities related to Homeland Security. For example, the Company, in cooperation with NASA, has developed a bioterror 'smoke' detector that detects certain biohazard substances. For more information, please visit http://www.udetection.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance and achievement in the future to differ materially from forecasted results, performance, and achievement. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in the Company's plans or expectations.