Lighthouse Biosciences, LLC is the exclusive worldwide license holder of the technology for which the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) has received a US patent. The diagnostic technology can rapidly and accurately screen for organisms such as bacteria and other infectious agents. The company's technology platform is called NanoLantern. It is a novel method of identifying genetic sequences from biological samples, a process which can be used to detect any genetic feature or organism by identifying its unique DNA fingerprint. The NanoLantern consists of an array of DNA probes which can be programmed from a database of known genetic signatures to simultaneously screen for multiple individual targets using a single sample of urine, blood, cells or other substance with organic content. The US patent is being awarded for the process the technology uses to identify DNA sequences. The company is in the process of developing a prototype which consists of a series of disposable biosensor cartridges or labs on a chip which will be housed in a workstation that can be deployed in doctor's offices, hospitals, nursing homes, or any other health care setting. Lighthouse Biosciences is initially focused on the field of hospital-acquired infections (HAI). HAI are infections that patients receive during their care -- in a hospital or other health care facility such as a nursing home which are not related to any pre-existing medical condition. The NanoLantern technology has demonstrated the ability to provide results rapidly within 15 minutes and do so at the point of care. The largest category of HAIs is urinary tract infections, which account for 40% of all infections. Lighthouse Biosciences, in cooperation with the URMC Departments of Urology and Microbiology and Immunology is currently conducting clinical studies to test the screening system at URMC's Strong Memorial Hospital.