This article opens the TAAG technology pillar of the Learning Center. Continue with artificial intelligence in microbiology.
The problem Mila solves
Designing a good PCR primer or probe — the short sequence that determines which genetic region will be amplified and detected — is a combinatorial problem: there are millions of possible combinations of candidate sequences, and choosing the optimal one requires simultaneously evaluating specificity (that it does not recognize non-target microorganisms), sensitivity and compatibility with other primers if the assay will be multiplex. Doing this manually is a slow process that depends heavily on the designer's experience.
What is Mila?
Mila is, as described by TAAG, the world's first platform that uses artificial intelligence to automatically design and select the best set of primers and probes from among millions of possible combinations. Instead of a specialist manually evaluating a limited number of candidates, the system exhaustively evaluates the combination space and selects those with the best predicted performance.
Where is it applied within TAAG's catalog?
Mila is a cross-cutting technology, integrated into TAAG's Ampliora and Elevia kit lines, which means AI-assisted design is not a separate product but the process behind the development of the very PCR kits the food industry uses to detect pathogens and spoilage microorganisms.
Reported benefits compared with manual design
Greater assay precision
By systematically evaluating more combinations, the platform aims to maximize the sensitivity and specificity of the selected primer/probe compared with what a limited manual selection would achieve.
More robust multiplex designs
One of the biggest challenges of multiplex PCR is preventing the different primer sets from interfering with each other. A system that evaluates combinations at scale can identify sets that minimize that interference more consistently than a manual process.
Shorter development times
TAAG reports that, thanks to Mila, the process from the concept of a new kit to its availability can take just weeks. (Figure reported by TAAG; the exact time may vary depending on the complexity of the assay and should be confirmed case by case.)
Conclusion
Designing a reliable PCR assay depends on a decision made long before the sample reaches the laboratory: exactly which sequence to search for. Automating that decision with artificial intelligence is what Mila brings to the development of TAAG's kits.
About TAAG
Discover how Mila is part of the development process behind TAAG's Ampliora and Elevia kits.
Frequently asked questions
Does Mila replace the analyst who validates the final kit?
No; Mila assists in the computational design stage of the primer/probe, but the resulting kit still undergoes experimental validation before launch.
Is Mila used to design only one type of kit?
It is integrated into more than one TAAG product line (Ampliora and Elevia), so its application is not limited to a single type of assay.
What is the difference between Mila and AiGOR?
Mila designs the primers/probes used in the PCR reaction; AiGOR is the RNA-based detection technology integrated into the Elevia line. They are distinct, complementary layers of the same kit.