Natural disasters don’t just destroy infrastructure — they trigger hidden biological crises. Flooded rivers and cyclone runoff can spark sudden outbreaks of cholera, leptospirosis, or Shigella, often with no early warning.
In these moments, mobile molecular diagnostics become a public health lifeline.
At the “What’s in the (Waste)Water?” webinar, Dr. Arianna Ceruti (Leipzig University) and Dr. Andy Wende (Xpedite Diagnostics) showed how field-adapted DNA workflows are transforming emergency water testing — in regions with no electricity, no refrigeration, and no conventional lab access.
Dr. Arianna Ceruti: Inside the Field Lab
Dr. Ceruti has deployed mobile diagnostic labs on WHO missions across Africa and South Asia. Her most recent operation took place in early 2025, during a post-cyclone outbreak investigation on a remote island near Madagascar.
Her suitcase lab included:
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Handheld sensors for conductivity, nitrates, and ammonia
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Dipstick assays for phosphate, chlorine, and E. coli
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SwiftX™ DNA extraction, fully compatible with portable qPCR and Nanopore sequencing
Rapid Field Findings:
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Widespread E. coli contamination
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Detection of Shigella DNA in a high-risk sample
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Bacterial load variation confirmed via colony count plates
“You can’t bring the lab to the field — but you can bring the field to the lab,” Arianna said “SwiftX™ let us do diagnostics where it mattered most.”
Dr. Andy Wende: Why Reverse Purification Works in Emergencies
Dr. Andy Wende, CEO of Xpedite Diagnostics, explained how the SwiftX™ chemistry is uniquely suited for disaster response scenarios.
Key Innovations:
SwiftX™ employs reverse purification — instead of binding DNA, it removes contaminants from the lysate using magnetic beads. This method allows:
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Efficient microbial capture from volumes up to 50 mL
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DNA extraction in <20 minutes — no centrifuge required
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Full compatibility with real-time PCR and long-read sequencing platforms like Nanopore
Validation Highlights:
Independent lab and field tests showed SwiftX™ delivers:
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Longer DNA reads for species-level classification
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Greater microbial diversity captured
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Higher NGS yields than conventional spin columns — even in difficult wastewater samples
The protocol is not only proven in lab conditions — it has been validated under real-world emergency deployments.
Lessons from the Field: Arianna’s Notes
Dr. Ceruti shared practical insights from her deployments:
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Preparation is essential — protocols, customs paperwork, and contingency plans are non-negotiable
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Improvisation is critical — even a taped Falcon tube can become mission-saving
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Community trust matters — diagnostic success depends on local collaboration and engagement
“Every crisis is different. But with tools like SwiftX, you don’t need to sacrifice data quality for portability.”
Now Available: SwiftX™ DNA Water Kit
The SwiftX™ DNA Water DNA extraction kit translates this validated, field-ready protocol into a commercial solution. Find out more (here)
- Request a trial kit or protocol walkthrough. Contact us (here)
- Watch the full recording of the “What’s in the (Waste)Water?” webinar (here)
- Read the part I of this blog posts on our recent webinar (here)
- Explore our resource section tailored to public health and environmental surveillance (browse our wastewater microbiome resources)