CytoSMART Technologies has launched an automated organoid counter. The software application detects organoids using bright-field image analysis and runs on the Corning Cell Counter, a CytoSMART product.
Manually counting organoids is a routine part of laboratory operations, but is time consuming and user dependent. To overcome these issues CytoSMART has introduced this organoid counting application.
Joffry Maltha, CEO at CytoSMART Technologies, explained: “The 3D cellular structures that are formed in organoids have great potential in drug discovery and developmental biology. This has fuelled the ever-growing interest in culturing new sub-types of organoids and optimization of current protocols. Growing organoids does however take a substantial amount of time and skill. We believe that implementation of an automated solution for organoid counting can really speed up day-to-day work in the lab and is a logical step towards further implementation of organoids in cell culture-based research.”
The main features of the CytoSMART Organoid Counter are:

• The main features of the CytoSMART Organoid Counter are:
• Low-cost – works with a common reusable glass hemocytometer. No consumables required.
• Precise – software allows for data gating and image selection for statistical analysis.

• For more information, visit: https://cytosmart.com/products/organoid-counting

Read more

Horizon Discovery Group, a leader in the application of gene editing and gene modulation for cell line engineering, has added single cell RNAseq-linked pooled CRISPR screening to its CRISPR screening services portfolio. The platform offers high-quality screening data and biological insight to address critical gaps in target identification and validation.
This launch is the result of a collaboration, announced in 2018, to develop and apply this novel research tool to discover new biology essential for the development of future therapeutics. The biological insight gained from Horizon’s single cell RNAseq-linked CRISPR screening platform could help researchers gain further understanding into complex biological models and speed up the time from discovery to validation by integrating the effect of gene editing with complex gene expression mapping.
Horizon’s pooled format screens offer researchers access to highly robust whole-genome level analyses that yield quality data outputs. Currently, it can be challenging to adequately multiplex the data from these screens to evaluate complex biological phenomena occurring in a subset of edited cells. Coupling pooled CRISPR screening to single cell RNAseq allows the impact of CRISPR-based gene modification to be examined on a global transcriptomic scale at single cell resolution. This could enable scientists to address critical gaps in target identification and validation as they work to develop new and more effective therapeutics.
Terry Pizzie, Chief Executive Officer, Horizon Discovery, explained: “Pooled CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens have become a linchpin in drug target identification and validation. The development of our single cell RNAseq-linked pooled CRISPR screening service provides a substantial advance to Horizon’s screening capabilities. Our continuing development of cutting-edge services, including CRISPR screens in primary human immune cells, means we can offer our customers unparalleled insights into the biology that will help to underpin future drug and cell-based therapeutics.”

For more information, visit: https://horizondiscovery.com/en/navigation/screening/functional-genomic-screening

Read more

ELITechGroup Molecular Diagnostics, a leading global provider of diagnostic testing products, passed a significant milestone early August with the distribution of more than 3.5 million SARS-CoV-2 tests worldwide. The company has also installed more than 500 of its lead diagnostics instrument, the ELITe InGenius polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system, globally, with over a hundred placed since the beginning of the pandemic. The system allows laboratories to reliably detect SARS-CoV2 in only a few hours, as well as conducting parallel testing for other diseases, such as flu, in order to ensure a correct diagnosis.
The ELITe InGenius has been widely used in hospitals and other healthcare settings since 2016, and ELITechGroup was among the first companies to have SARS-CoV-2 tests on a sample-to-result system.
The ELITe InGenius is a fully automated solution that can process 12 samples in parallel to deliver results in less than 2.5 hours. This brings several benefits over centralized high-throughput testing approaches as there is no waiting for a large batch of samples to accumulate before testing, and no delays from sending samples off premises to a central laboratory.
By performing extraction, amplification and result interpretation in one device, the ELITe InGenius replaces the multiple devices needed to perform such tasks separately. Full automation also means there is no need for constant supervision, allowing laboratory staff to perform other valuable work. More importantly, the limited hands-on time helps reduce the risk of infection for users. The instrument is straightforward to use, with only minimal training required from ELITechGroup’s service and support team.
The ELITe InGenius offers the widest molecular diagnostics menu available on a sample-to-result system, with 38 CE-IVD assays dedicated to the unique needs of healthcare settings, be it immunocompromised patient monitoring; detection of respiratory, gastro-intestinal, sexually transmitted or nosocomial infections; meningitis and encephalitis, as well as diagnostics of genetic factors.
Commenting on the advantages of the ELITe InGenius for hospital settings, Dr Anna Paola Callegaro, Virology Area Coordinator and Biobank UOSD Director of ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII – Bergamo (Italy), commented: “The modular configuration of the ELITe InGenius system enables us to carry out molecular virology routine with results on the day. The sample-to-result solution reduces the need for manual intervention by the technician and allows the analysis of multiple viral targets on the same sample, thereby significantly improving the lab’s efficiency.”
Christoph Gaue, ELITechGroup CEO, said the company has expanded their manufacturing capacity to help provide additional ELITe InGenius systems to hospitals and laboratories, globally.
For more information, visit: www.elitechgroup.com
Read more

Greiner Bio-One has launched their VeinViewer® which makes veins visible and helps to improve the success rate of an initial venipuncture. This significantly increases patient satisfaction and safety.
The VeinViewer uses harmless near-infrared (NIR) light which is directed towards the patient’s skin. Haemoglobin in the blood absorbs the NIR light and the surrounding tissue reflects it back to the VeinViewer device, where the data is processed into an image. Colour is added and the image is reflected on to the skin to provide a real time visualization of the blood vessels up to 10 mm below the skin.
High definition imaging technology helps provide clinicians with clear, sharp imaging which is particularly useful when vein visibility is poor.
Two VeinViewer devices are available. VeinViewer Flex is a portable device for use in emergency situations. It can also be made static by using the flexible arm to attach it to a table top or chair arm for example, which is useful when space is limited.
The VeinViewer Vision2 is a mobile imaging unit with an arm reaching up to 1.35 metres. It is attached to a trolley for easy transportation between beds or phlebotomy chairs.
For more information, visit: www.gbo.com
Read more