Pronucleotein Biotechnologies develops short DNA (nucleotide) or protein sequences that recognize bacteria or other targets, such as toxins. These short sequences (aptamers) are attached to identifiable markers, that either fluoresce or produce a visible color. Therefore when they bind their target they identify the presence of the bacteria or toxin. This diagnostic tool is being used in the food industry for identification of food borne pathogens, and is being expanded to study biological processes such as bone loss in space. Novel methodologies for identifying infectious diseases provide important new diagnostics for practitioners to more readily diagnose diseases. Pronucleotein Biotechnologies has developed a novel genetic-based diagnostic platform that readily identifies food borne pathogens in a highly sensitive and cost-effective manner, via a portable hand held device.