BBI Solutions has launched a new Jo-1 human chimeric antibody for use as a calibrator or positive control in assays to diagnose conditions such as connective tissue disease (CTD).

BBI has used cell culture technologies in response to the concerning situation, as hospital visits continue to be dominated by Covid-related cases, leading to a drop in supplies of positive patient materials for certain markers, which are commonly used for calibrators and controls in IVD assays.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

Autoantibodies against the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase Jo-1 can be found in up to 20% of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), a sub-form of CTD [1]. Jo-1 is therefore the most prevalent marker found in IIM.

Anti-synthetase autoantibodies, such as Jo-1 autoantibodies, are also strongly associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) which makes an early diagnosis on a component level even more important.

It is the only commercially available Jo-1 human chimeric monoclonal antibody available on the market for companies which manufacture diagnostic tests.

Mario Gualano, CEO of The BBI Group, said: “The introduction of Jo-1 HumAb IgG further strengthens our wide portfolio of CTD products in our autoimmune range. This product will help support IVD companies to realise the growth in the autoimmune diagnostic testing market.”

Human chimeric monoclonal antibodies

Human chimeric monoclonal antibodies can be used as an alternative to characterised disease state plasma. They are produced in transgenic mouse strains in which the sequence for mouse IgG1 Fc region is substituted with the human sequence. After mouse immunisation and use of hybridoma technology, antibodies are generated that retain a human constant region required for recognition by the anti-human IgG detection antibody.

Simon Packer, Product Manager for Antigens at BBI Solutions, explained: “Currently fewer people are visiting hospitals for diseases and conditions other than Covid-19. This is affecting supplies of positive patient materials for certain markers, which are commonly used for calibrators and controls in IVD assays. That is why bringing new chimeric antibodies to the market, at this time, is crucially important to ensure a reliable sustained supply.

“Our Jo-1 HumAb IgG has been developed with the same rigour as our other human chimeric monoclonal antibodies. The mouse monoclonal variable region was carefully defined for Jo-1 and this was integrated with the human constant region in a stabilised cell line. The material is produced using cell culture In-Vitro, meaning there is a continuous steady supply and consistent assay performance, making it a reliable alternative to characterised disease state plasma.

“It has been proven to show equivalent sensitivity to anti-Jo-1 positive patient samples, even at high dilution using our Histidyl-tRNA Synthetase (Jo-1) antigen. So, you can be satisfied that our Jo-1 HumAb IgG works as effectively as characterised disease state plasma.”

• For information on and samples of BBI’s Jo-1 HumAb IgG, see www.bbisolutions.com

Running a sequence through an instrument is expensive and time consuming.

Ziath has posted a new video that shows how its Mohawk semi-automated tube selector is a productive and versatile tool for cherry picking tubes from multiple racks.

In the new video, product manager Avash Anderson demonstrates how the Mohawk provides secure and accurate picking of individual 2D-barcoded tubes from 96-place SBS format racks – quickly and easily. Using Ziath’s web-based DP5 software, Avash also demonstrates how simple it is to load a picking list, retrieve the desired tubes and then verify them on a connected 2D tube reader.

Trying to extract a single tube from a rack can be difficult and doing so manually can lead to positional errors. By using software to control 96 individual solenoids, the Mohawk can lift one, two or up to sixteen individual tubes at a time, making it easy to remove them from the rack and place in a subsidiary rack or other tube device.

The pins to be selected can be set in a “Pick List” which can be generated from the onscreen graphical representation of the Mohawk deck or from an Excel spreadsheet. The Mohawk is able to operate with both thawed and frozen tubes and can even generate pick lists including tubes that are contained in multiple racks.

To watch this new video, visit: https://youtu.be/ktLE6umE2bY

• For more information, visit: The Mohawk semi-automated tube selector

Porvair Sciences has released its next generation AutoCapper electronic sealer – a versatile device designed to take the strain out of applying friction sealing caps to a wide range of microplates.

Built to quickly and securely seal 96-well deep well microplates as standard, the AutoCapper is also compatible with shallow well and 24- and 48-well deep well plate formats using a range of supplied adapter blocks.

Small enough to fit on most lab benches, the AutoCapper has been designed to do all the hard work for you. A plate with its attendant cap mat is simply placed in the drawer and pushed firmly shut. From then on, the sophisticated electronics take over, forcing the cap mat down into each well by applying consistent, even pressure. With just a touch of a button, the powerful, yet smooth operating mechanism makes single action sealing of microplates quick and simple, therefore removing any risk of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).

The AutoCapper is the perfect solution for laboratories looking for an affordable device that makes the entire plate sealing process faster and more reproducible.

• For more information, visit: microplates.com/mat-cappers