Ziath, working with the Hubrecht Institute (Utrecht, Netherlands), has developed a pioneering automated test robot, called STRIP-1, which can process up to 20,000 samples for SARS-CoV-2 testing in just 24 hours.
This makes it much faster than all other automated SARS-CoV-2 testing systems used to date. In addition, all samples can be tracked precisely because they have a 2D-barcode on the bottom of each tube that is scanned multiple times throughout the process. This also enables an automatic online return of test results to the tested persons, which will relieve the burden on laboratory personnel who were severely overloaded during the first wave of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020.
Wouter de Laat and Marvin Tanenbaum, group leaders at the Hubrecht Institute, worked closely with Martijn Bosch, automation specialist at local instrument manufacturer Genmab to develop STRIP-1. This team decided to adopt 2D-barcoding of the sample tubes throughout the robotic workflow. This was achieved by integrating a Ziath Mirage camera-based 2D barcode reader into the automation platform. The high-speed of reading and decoding offered by the Mirage, around 1 second for a full 96 position rack used in STRIP-1, was a key factor in the choice of Ziath, allowing the robot to reach its maximum potential of 20,000 samples per day.
“We hoped that we could organize everything in a faster and more intelligent way by using robots, so that became our focus almost immediately,” said de Laat. “The STRIP-1 robot was designed by Martijn Bosch according to optimisation of our SARS-CoV-2 test requirements.”
Bosch commented: “Not just the new robot system, but also the whole chain of events posed a challenge. From sample collection, registration, the logistics and the tracking of samples to the test itself and reporting the results, basically the entire chain of events from patient to test and back, that was the big challenge.”
The Ziath Mirage ensures correct registration, tracking and reporting of the patient samples as they arrive in the lab and are re-formatted into 384-well PCR plates to increase throughput whilst conserving valuable and currently scarce PCR reagents.
The robot was ordered from Swiss automation company TECAN, who delivered and installed it just before Christmas 2020 at PAMM medical microbiology laboratory in Veldhoven, Netherlands. Earlier this year, Hugo de Jonge from the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, visited the robot at the PAMM laboratory, as the Dutch government plans to order five more STRIP-1 systems in the future, if the validation procedure delivers the expected results. Together, these robots will be able to process more than 100,000 samples per 24 hours.
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, /in Advertenties /by Quantimetrix CorpEUROIMMUN releases combined PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A/B
, /in Product News /by panglobalThe EURORealTime SARS-CoV-2/Influenza A/B is a multiplex PCR-based test for fast and efficient detection and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses A and B from throat swabs. The assay aids discrimination between the clinically similar diseases COVID-19 and influenza, identification of potential co-infections and epidemiological surveillance.
The EURORealTime SARS-CoV-2/Influenza A/B incorporates reverse transcription and real-time PCR into one step, so that only one reaction is required per sample. This efficient combined testing saves time and resources, enabling more patient analyses to be performed per day and helping to conserve laboratory materials that are in short supply.
The detection of SARS-CoV-2 is based on two defined target sequences in the ORF1ab and N genes of the viral genome, ensuring high sensitivity. The variants alpha (B.1.1.7 lineage), beta (b.1.351 lineage), gamma (P.1 lineage) and delta (B1.617.2 lineage) can be reliably detected.
The detection of influenza viruses A and B – the two viruses responsible for flu outbreaks – is based on one defined target sequence from each virus.
The assay incorporates numerous controls, including an internal amplification control and a SARS-CoV-2/influenza A/B positive control, to ensure reliable results.
The assay is CE-marked and validated for all commonly used real-time PCR cyclers.
The complementary EURORealTime Analysis software provides fully automated and standardised evaluation and documentation of results, including all control results. Comprehensive automation options for sample preparation, PCR setup and PCR performance are available.
In collaboration with Hubrecht Institute, Ziath develops robotic system for ultra-high throughput SARS-CoV-2 sample testing
, /in Product News /by panglobalZiath, working with the Hubrecht Institute (Utrecht, Netherlands), has developed a pioneering automated test robot, called STRIP-1, which can process up to 20,000 samples for SARS-CoV-2 testing in just 24 hours.
This makes it much faster than all other automated SARS-CoV-2 testing systems used to date. In addition, all samples can be tracked precisely because they have a 2D-barcode on the bottom of each tube that is scanned multiple times throughout the process. This also enables an automatic online return of test results to the tested persons, which will relieve the burden on laboratory personnel who were severely overloaded during the first wave of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020.
Wouter de Laat and Marvin Tanenbaum, group leaders at the Hubrecht Institute, worked closely with Martijn Bosch, automation specialist at local instrument manufacturer Genmab to develop STRIP-1. This team decided to adopt 2D-barcoding of the sample tubes throughout the robotic workflow. This was achieved by integrating a Ziath Mirage camera-based 2D barcode reader into the automation platform. The high-speed of reading and decoding offered by the Mirage, around 1 second for a full 96 position rack used in STRIP-1, was a key factor in the choice of Ziath, allowing the robot to reach its maximum potential of 20,000 samples per day.
“We hoped that we could organize everything in a faster and more intelligent way by using robots, so that became our focus almost immediately,” said de Laat. “The STRIP-1 robot was designed by Martijn Bosch according to optimisation of our SARS-CoV-2 test requirements.”
Bosch commented: “Not just the new robot system, but also the whole chain of events posed a challenge. From sample collection, registration, the logistics and the tracking of samples to the test itself and reporting the results, basically the entire chain of events from patient to test and back, that was the big challenge.”
The Ziath Mirage ensures correct registration, tracking and reporting of the patient samples as they arrive in the lab and are re-formatted into 384-well PCR plates to increase throughput whilst conserving valuable and currently scarce PCR reagents.
The robot was ordered from Swiss automation company TECAN, who delivered and installed it just before Christmas 2020 at PAMM medical microbiology laboratory in Veldhoven, Netherlands. Earlier this year, Hugo de Jonge from the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, visited the robot at the PAMM laboratory, as the Dutch government plans to order five more STRIP-1 systems in the future, if the validation procedure delivers the expected results. Together, these robots will be able to process more than 100,000 samples per 24 hours.
NIH, FDA and 15 private organizations join forces to increase effective gene therapies for rare diseases
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Promising new antimalarial compound discovered in McMaster-Hamburg collaboration
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New technology allows molecules to enter cells safely
, /in E-News /by panglobalProfessor Braeckmans from Ghent University focused the last ten years on a method for safe engineering of therapeutic cells with photothermal nanofibers. The study published in Nature Nanotechnology gives insight in how these biocompatible photothermal nanofibers were developed, and how, upon laser irradiation, cells that come in contact with those nanofibers become permeabilized and can […]
Exploiting AKIRIN2 to develop selective proteasome-inhibiting drugs
, /in E-News /by panglobalInhibitors that block the activity of the proteasome are already applied to treat various types of cancer. However, existing drugs affect proteasomes in all the cells of our body, which can lead to unwanted side-effects in healthy cells.
AKIRIN2: two fingers pulling the proteasome into the nucleus
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How cells keep their nucleus clean: a fundamental discovery
, /in E-News /by panglobalScientists at the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna have developed a CRISPR-Cas9 screening assay that allows to systematically pinpoint regulators of any gene of interest, including cancer-related genes. Using this approach, they discovered how cells transport their clean-up machinery, the proteasome, into the nucleus to maintain protein balance and get rid of […]