Episode 6: DETECTing antibiotic resistant bacteria

Welcome to a new episode of Scientific Entrepreneurship. We live in strange times. We live at a time when a microorganism can get into our body, wreak havoc and cause enormous damage. One of the most important steps to prevent the spread of this microorganism is the availability of more tests, so we can detect them and treat them quickly. Yes, I am talking about the COVID-19 virus. However, detection is key to treat all diseases, including those caused by other microorganisms. Another public health challenge that we face right now is antibiotic resistance. According to the CDC, every year, at least 2.8 million ppl get an antibiotic-resistant infection and more than 35,000 die. Today, we will talk with Tara on how her company, BioAmp Diagnositics, is creating an impact in the field of antibiotic resistance and what her entrepreneurial journey has been like. Tara founded BioAmp Diagnostics in 2017, based on a technology first created to rapidly and sensitively detect antibiotic resistant bacteria. Tara holds a PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry from University of California, Santa Cruz and invented the proprietary technology that BioAmp uses during her postdoctoral work in Prof. Niren Murthy’s group, in collaboration with Prof. Lee Riley in the School of Public Health at University of California, Berkeley. She has more recently taught a course at the Haas School of Business (Different Subtypes of Biotech: Diagnostics + Gene Edition: main approaches to their regulation). You can find more information on BioAmp diagnostics at https://bioampdx.com/.