Consolidating conventional micro-biological and chemical analysis with newer technologies, City Analysts Limited was formed in 1997 at the state-of-the-art biotechnology facility at UCD, and is a dedicated "one-stop-shop" for chemical analyses and for the detection of bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites in food, water and effluents. It is headed up by specialists with extensive experience in the university, public, food and biotechnology sectors, bringing both focus and perspective to the stated mission of providing a gold standard environmental quality index for clients. The great need to take an active technology lead in environmental analysis is a strong focus for City Analysts, complemented by an expanding programme of R&D aimed at developing new diagnostic systems for emerging threats to human health.

Cryptosporidium oocysts stained green using fluorescein isothiocyanate.

However, it was the pioneering work on the development of methods to detect complex parasites such as Cryptosporidium ("Crypto") and Giardia which put this young company "on the map" and brought it to the attention of the general public. "Crypto" is found in animal faeces and will be familiar to many as an opportunistic infection of AIDS patients, causing a severe life-threatening diarrhoea. Its ability to withstand conventional water treatment processes and enter homes via tap water poses a serious threat to the general public, with the young, aged and immuno-compromised at special risk. Incredibly, before the establishment of City Analysts, analysis for this parasite was sent abroad. The situation is now reversed, with City Analysts performing the analysis for international clients, proving that an Irish water analysis company really can make a big splash in Europe!