Bioplastic has released an immunochromatographic kit (monotest) for the semiquantitative determination of faecal calprotectin. Through development on the reactive card of three coloured bands, the evaluation of the concentration interval can be determined on three distinct levels depending on the combination of 3 coloured bands (T1, T2 and T3).
Porvair Sciences has introduced a new and improved version of its Microlute PLR phospholipid removal microplate designed to enhance the flow of samples through a proprietary filter to maximise the recovery of analytes with unmatched reproducibility.
The 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.
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.
TESTA Analytical Solutions has introduced new laser options for its HK Series differential refractometer to enable precise determination of specific refractive index increment (dn/dc) at the same wavelength as the light scattering application under investigation.
Free your hands with the UN-Series connection to FlexLab Total Lab Automation. The collaboration between Sysmex and Inpeco takes advantage of Sysmex’s UN-Series urinalysis solutions and Inpeco’s FlexLab track, together making the next step towards a fully automated urinalysis workflow solution of the highest level.
Scopio Labs, provider of the world’s first full-field digital cell morphology solution, has launched its FDA-cleared and CE-approved FullField Peripheral Blood Smear (FF-PBS) Application on the X100 platform. The application’s commercialization is an important step in the company’s plan to transform haematology and introduce a new line of digital solutions for cell morphology analysis that […]
The newest Olympus DP series microscope camera – the DP23M monochrome camera – continues the series’ reputation for delivering high-quality images. With advanced features found on high-end microscope cameras, the DP23M monochrome camera provides premium fluorescence images at a reasonable cost.
Hologic’s Aptima SARS-CoV-2/Flu Assay is now available for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of three respiratory viruses that can present with overlapping clinical symptoms.
Leading supplier of immunodiagnostic reagents BBI Solutions has launched of a full range of molecular tag gold conjugates
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