Date of Graduation
Fall 12-16-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
Thesis Chair
Davida Smyth
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater surveillance helped predict the emergence of several waves of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, sometimes before clinical detection, alerting public health authorities to investigate. As human fecal material can contain the nucleic acids of both DNA- and RNA-based pathogens, new methods isolating total nucleic acid (TNA) can be used to detect a wider variety of pathogens and genetic targets. Wastewater Surveillance is faster, cost effective and scalable. This study compared three commercially available TNA extraction kits: Promega Rapid Capture Beads (Rapid), Maxwell RSC Enviro Total Nucleic Acid (Vacuum), and Nanotrap® Microbiome A and B Enviro Water Protocol using NucleoMag Kit (Ceres-MN), assessing their cost, accessibility, speed and efficiency. The Maxwell RSC Enviro TNA Kit was the most reliable but its cost limits accessibility. The Ceres-MN is more affordable but needs further optimization, while the Rapid Kit offers a promising, cost-effective alternative though not yet commercially available.
Recommended Citation
Rodriguez, Gloria and Smyth, Davida, "COMPARISON OF COST, ACCESSIBILITY, SPEED, AND EFFICIENCY OF MODERN MICROBIAL DETECTION METHODS FOR WASTEWATER SURVEILLANCE AND THEIR POTENTIAL BENEFITS IN LOW-RESOURCE SETTINGS" (2025). Masters Theses. 49.
https://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/masters_theses/49