Craft Technologies, Inc. to Improve Identification of Nutrition Deficiencies

WILSON, N.C., March 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Craft Technologies, Inc. (CTI) received funding for the next two years from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to determine appropriate methods to collect and measure Nutritional Biomarkers (NBs) in Dried Matrix Spots (DMS).  Dried Blood Spots (DBS) have been used for nearly 50 years to screen neonates for phenylketonuria. During the past 10 years, DBS have become widely accepted in the biomedical and pharmaceutical communities. DBS suffer from inherent problems related to accuracy and stability. Now, more sophisticated devices of sample collection have been developed which separate red blood cells from serum. CTI will evaluate available sample collection devices by measuring the accuracy and stability of 11 nutritional biomarkers in blood samples and establish optimal procedures to achieve economical and robust methods for collection and analysis.

Dr. Neal Craft, president of CTI stated "Nutritional problems, such as iron, iodine, and vitamin A deficiencies affect nearly 1/3 of women and children worldwide.  These deficiencies can result in blindness, mental deficits, and even death. Accurate nutritional assessment is essential to properly addressing nutritional problems around the world.  This project will result in the ability to reliably collect and measure indicators of nutritional status in the developing world with limited access to electricity and refrigeration.  Craft Technologies has been providing analysis of biomarkers in serum and dried blood spots for more than 20 years while collaborating with national and international institutions on nutrition projects." Regarding the award, he went on to say, "This funding will enable our laboratory to move the use of nutritional biomarkers in dried matrix spots out of the lab into the developing world."

Founded in 1994, Craft Technologies, Inc. is a contract laboratory specializing in the analysis of vitamins, carotenoids, bioflavonoids, phytochemicals and hormones in a variety of sample types. The latest analytical methods, including HPLC, UHPLC, GC, MS and ELISA, are used to provide our clients with quality measurements they can trust. Our scientific staff possess decades of knowledge and experience. CTI proudly serves government agencies, NGO's, small businesses, Fortune 500 companies and universities.

Contact: Dr. Neal Craft
Tel.: (252) 206-7071
Email: [email protected] 
Website: http://www.crafttechnologies.com/

SOURCE Craft Technologies, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.crafttechnologies.com