Microbiology News: May 2020

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Microbiology News: May 2020

NBS Scientific Launches the CXT 353 Bench-Top Frozen Sample Aliquotter

31 May 2020 | Laboratory Equipment

With the CXT 353, researchers can work more safely and efficiently with samples containing infectious viruses like COVID-19. more...

AFYS3G Offers a Unique Solution for the Ultimate Traceability of Labware

31 May 2020 | ClinicalOtherPharmaceuticalMicrobiome

AFYS3G has a unique way to guarantee the absolute traceability of your laboratory consumables: laser-based marking systems. more...

Reliable, High-Throughout Tube Decapper

31 May 2020 | Laboratory Equipment

The robust Push Cap Decapper CP620 from Micronic enables labs tasked with opening multiple sample storage tubes to achieve significant productivity gains. more...

Test Food Safety with the Sensilux^® Portfolio of ATP-Bioluminescence Products

29 May 2020 | Food & Beverage

ATP-bioluminescence Sensilux Food Safety

Rapid microbial detection methods have never been easier to perform and analyze. BC launches its Sensilux^® Assay Manager v3.0 software to facilitate the task of lab technicians. more...

Lonza Brings Sanquin's Cryopreserved PBMCs for Monocyte Activation Test to Market

29 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

Lonza and Sanquin partner for commercialization of specialized MAT reagents for accurate and reliable in vitro pyrogen testing. This will facilitate global access to the sustainable, highly sensitive methodology for in vitro pyrogen testing essential for the safety of parenteral pharmaceuticals. more...

Studies Say Abbott's ID NOW™ COVID-19 Test Works Best at Acute Stage of Infection

29 May 2020 | Clinical

Abbott has released an interim analysis from independent studies being carried out on its ID NOW™ COVID-19 test, as per FDA instructions. Results, so far show the test has a high sensitivity and specificity in the early days of symptoms onset. more...

FDA Aids Development and Evaluation of COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests

29 May 2020 | Clinical

The U.S. FDA is supporting the agency’s evaluation of diagnostic tests for COVID-19 by providing a SARS-CoV-2 reference panel. The panel is available to commercial and laboratory developers who are interacting with the FDA through the pre-emergency use authorization (EUA) process. more...

NEOGEN: Your Trusted Food Safety Partner

29 May 2020 | Food & Beverage

For over 30 years we have been a trusted partner to the food industry, developing and supplying diagnostic kits and expert services to determine the quality and safety of food. more...

Why is Ireland Ranked So Highly for Food Safety?

29 May 2020 | Food & Beverage

FSAI CEO Dr Pamela Byrne, discusses with rapidmicrobiology the FSAI's involvement in international food safety affairs, preparing for a COVID-19-like crisis in the food industry, and how vetting data they capture and process is fundamental in risk management and the country's preparedness. more...

Mycotoxins as Food Carcinogens: A Reliable & Fast Quantification Method

28 May 2020 | Food & Beverage

Symmetric technology: An innovative lateral flow method that quantifies mycotoxins in grains, cereals, and milk. The tests demonstrate high accuracy & increased sensitivity. Excellent results in FAPAS & AIA proficiency tests. Validated by ILVO. more...

Food Safety - How Can You Be Sure You're Compliant?

28 May 2020 | Food & Beverage

How do labs to keep up with latest re-formulations of ISO and FDA BAM microbiology media? In this interview with Holger Schoenenbruecher, Strategic Marketing Director Food and Beverage at Merck Life Science, we discuss how Merck supports users to stay compliant to latest regulations. more...

Rambach^™ Agar from CHROMagar^™, the First in Salmonella Detection!

28 May 2020 | Food & Beverage

In 1989, Dr Alain Rambach successfully developed and commercialized the first chromogenic media for detection and identification of Salmonella spp.: Rambach^™ Agar. more...

How Well is the Cell Line-Based MAT Suited for Pyrogen Detection?

28 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

How suitable is the cell line-based Monocyte Activation Test for pyrogen detection?
New Application Note: Detection of various non-endotoxin pyrogens or TLR ligands with the PyroMAT^® system. Free Download. more...

How To Be Sure Your Rapid Micro Kit Does Exactly What it Says On The Tin

28 May 2020 | Food & Beverage

Validation of rapid microbiological methods is vital when choosing the right kit for your food or beverage testing. In this special interview with members of the MicroVal committee, we learn what MicroVal validation means and how it compares to AOAC, AFNOR and NordVal. more...

Bakers' Specialised Clean Air Enclosures Offer the Highest Standard of Air Containment

27 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

Baker continues to develop specialised walk in and reach in clean air enclosures ideal for vaccine developers, making innovative use of robotic technology for drug discovery, high-throughput screening, and high-volume sample management. more...

Accelerating Pandemic Response Means Accelerating Release Testing

27 May 2020 | Clinical

The world needs pharma and biotech organizations to respond to public health crises faster than ever. As production timelines shorten and approvals are fast-tracked, the industry must be able to release products as quickly and safely as possible. more...

Eliminate the Risk of Cross-Contamination When Collecting Food Samples

27 May 2020 | Food & Beverage

Make food sampling and transportation safe and easy with the Wheaton^®polystyrene dipper range. Sterile, individually wrapped leak-free polystyrene screw cap containers with a snappable handle. more...

Textile Moguls Attain Rights to Direct-to-Consumer Rapid Antigen COVID-19 Test

27 May 2020 | Clinical

Avacta has partnered with Cytiva (formerly GE Healthcare Life Sciences) to develop a rapid lateral flow assay to detect antigens of SARS-CoV-2, for the consumer market. Sales, marketing and distribution firm Medusa19, say they see the kit being used at airports and businesses looking to reopen. more...

Manage Multiple Automated Storage Systems from a Single Interface

26 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

Hamilton Storage and Titan's Management software are now connected, giving users a single interface to control multiple automated storage systems. Making searching for samples easier, enhanced real-time monitoring and allowing complete history printout for auditing. more...

Ecological, Efficient and Sustainable Endotoxin Testing

26 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

bioMerieux ENDONEXT COVID Vaccine Endotoxin

Vaccines can be complex matrixes and can cause difficulties when establishing and testing for Endotoxins. The Recombinant Factor C protein in ENDONEXT assays can be measured perfectly to contain only the needed Factor C protein for ENDOTOXIN detection. more...

Maintaining Operational Efficiencies in Micro Labs During a Pandemic (Podcast)

25 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

Removing the human element in the microbiology laboratory - remote monitoring system means on-site access is minimised more...

FDA Clampdown on Non-Compliant COVID-19 Serology Test Manufacturers

25 May 2020 | Clinical

The US FDA has instructed a large cohort of COVID-19 serology test manufacturers not to distribute kits until they have complied with mandatory guidelines, which include submitting an FDA-EUA application, within a certain time-frame and/or not addressing issues on tests validaity. more...

Thermo Fisher's US Contract Will See 8 Million COVID-19 VTM-Filled Tubes Per Week

25 May 2020 | Clinical

Thermo Fisher produces Viral Transport Media (VTM) that complies with US requirements for COVID-19 sample collection and have signed a contract with the government, allowing Thermo Fisher to expand and scale-up production capacity to 8 million per week. more...

Study: MAT Detects Endotoxin & Non-Endotoxin Pyrogen in Vaccine Prep

22 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

Detect Endotoxin and Pyrogen in Vaccines

The study shows that the PyroMAT^® System, a monocyte activation test (MAT) that uses cryo-preserved Mono-Mac-6 (MM6) human monocytic cells as monocyte source, can detect both endotoxin and non-endotoxin pyrogen in a meningococcal vaccine preparation. more...

EKF Secures COVID-19 Novel Sample Collection Kit Manufacturing and Supply Contracts

22 May 2020 | Clinical

The PrimeStore^® MTM COVID-19 sample collection device that inactivates viral RNA is in high demand and its manufacturer EKF Diagnostics has secured contracts and have doubled manufacturing capacity in the US and repurposed EU plants to meet demand. more...

Cherwell Prepared Media Accessories Help Reduce Risk in EM

22 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

Cherwell Laboratories has increased the breadth of its range of stainless-steel prepared media accessories for use within cleanroom environmental monitoring (EM) programmes, in response to customer demand and an EU GMP Annex 1 revision to protect agar plates and prevent spoiled samples. more...

Let’s Step Forward to Meet the Next Challenge

22 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

when and how to test for endotoxin in vaccines

This article describes how the endotoxin testing requirements for all drug products must be applied during development of vaccines. These tests help ensure the release of safe and effective therapeutics, including those targeting COVID-19 disease. more...

BIOTECON Diagnostics’ microproof^® Legionella Quantification LyoKit

22 May 2020 | WaterPharmaceutical

BIOTECON Diagnostics’ microproof® Legionella Quantification LyoKit – implementing the right safety measures post lockdown. more...

FUJIFILM Wako Chemicals U.S.A., Endotoxin-Specific LAL Reagents

22 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

LAL reagents from FUJIFILM Wako Chemicals

With over a century of combined research experience, FUJIFILM and Wako Chemicals U.S.A. continue the development of products that can improve human health and protect the environment. See the complete line of Wako LAL products at wakopyrostar.com more...

Food Safety is Everyone’s Business – it is also Promicol’s Business

22 May 2020 | Food & Beverage

Rapid microbial detection methods, can avoid product release delays, provide financial benefits to food producers, and ensure safe food for the consumer. Promicol's ATP bioluminescence method is used on a variety of food types & returns results in under 40 mins using pre-enriched samples. more...

Baker Donates a SterilGARD^® e3 to Support Medical Virologist in Their COVID-19 Response

21 May 2020 | Clinical

Baker have donated a SterilGARD® e3 biological safety cabinet to Seeding Labs to support the public health efforts of Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Malawi's COVID-19 response. more...

Rapid Micro Biosystems Announces Global Expansion to Support Pharma Manufacturing

21 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

Learn how Rapid Micro Biosystems is expanding to meet the growing demand for their automated microbial detection platform Growth Direct™. See the system and discover how to eliminate 60% of the steps of manual testing methods, accelerate time to results and prevent human error in the QC lab. more...

Puritan - 4 Reasons They’re Not Your Ordinary Drugstore Swab

20 May 2020 | Clinical

Puritan’s 'FDA Preferred' HydraFlock® and PurFlock Ultra® swabs are highly sophisticated diagnostic tools. Their tips, handles and materials are ideally suited for COVID-19 testing. Puritan's foam and polyester swabs are also FDA listed as substitutes for flock. more...

Bioreagents Related to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccine Development

20 May 2020 | ClinicalPharmaceutical

To address this global public health crisis, unprecedented efforts are being made to study the culprit virus, SARS-CoV-2. Sino Biological is working to develop rapid diagnostic reagents, vaccines, and therapies against this virus. more...

WHO Release COVID-19 Test Scores of 100%

20 May 2020 | Clinical

The World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Foundation for Innovative Diagnostics (FIND), have carried out independent studies on several PCR-based COVID-19 tests and have released clinical specificity and sensitivity results to the science community. more...

Reliable COVID-19 Diagnostics with PCR and ELISA Tests from EUROIMMUN

19 May 2020 | Clinical

EUROIMMUN offers the EURORealTime SARS-CoV-2 for sensitive direct virus detection, as well as ELISAs based on spike protein domain S1 (IgG, IgA) or modified nucleocapsid protein (IgG). The IgG ELISAs demonstrate specificities of 99.6% and 99.8%. more...

Microbiologics Introduces New IVD & RUO SARS-CoV-2 Controls

19 May 2020 | Clinical

Validate all stages of a molecular assay - extraction, reverse transcription, amplification, and detection with Microbiologics' new SARS-CoV-2 Process Control (RUO). An IVD control with the RdRp, S, E, and N gene targets is also now available. more...

NEW easySpiral Pro Milk, an Automatic Sample Plater, Ideal for Analyses in the Dairy Industry

19 May 2020 | Food & Beverage

INTERSCIENCE have launched the easySpiral Pro Milk automatic plater bringing fast, and reliable, qualitative analyses to the Dairy Industry. more...

Sample Collection and Swab Types for COVID-19 Testing

19 May 2020 | Clinical

What to do if you dont have any nasopharyngeal swabs

In this video, Norman Sharples, COPAN Diagnostics’ CEO runs through alternatives to collecting a nasopharyngeal specimen with a flocked swab for COVID-19 diagnosis. more...

SOLIScript^® 1-step RT-qPCR CoV Kit for High Throughput COVID-19 Detection

19 May 2020 | Clinical

SOLIScript^® 1-step CoV Kit from Solis BioDyne is optimized for highly sensitive detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral RNA by one-step real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR). Reagents are stable at room temperature enabling easy ice-free shipping and reaction set-up. more...

Microbiology Insider

19 May 2020 | Food & Beverage

Don’t miss out: Catch our Insider Magazine for the latest news on microbiology testing including our featured article on spoilage and indicator organisms, alternative methods to reduce your testing time, and much more. Get your free copy today! more...

Streamline Your Microbial Testing Workflow to Increase Vaccine Productivity

19 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

Anne Connors, Senior Field Marketing Specialist, Merck talks about how the Milliflex® Family of rapid microbial testing products, can reduce risk of cross-contamination, ensure better accuracy, provide a user-friendly experience for the microbiologist and aid in traceability and data integrity. more...

A Collection of Antigens and Monoclonal Antibodies for SARS-CoV-2

19 May 2020 | Clinical

To support COVID-19 Research, Sino Biological has developed a collection of antigens and monoclonal antibodies. These reagents have supported hundreds of research groups around the globe for their vaccine and antibody development works. more...

Detect SARS-CoV-2 on Environmental Surfaces with the VIRSeek Solution

19 May 2020 | Food & BeverageWater

In answer to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, Eurofins GeneScan Technologies GmbH has developed two real-time RT-PCR kits enabling the screening and identification of SARS-CoV-2 in surface samples. more...

FDA-Cleared Liofilchem MTS™ (MIC Test Strip) Lefamulin (LMU)

18 May 2020 | Clinical

Liofilchem has received clearance from the FDA to market in the United States the Lefamulin 0.016-256 MTS™ (MIC Test Strip), a quantitative assay for determining the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Lefamulin. more...

Abbott Agrees With FDA To Perform Post-Market Study on Questionable COVID-19 Test

18 May 2020 | Clinical

Abbott's ID NOW™ COVID-19 test goes under FDA's microscope after the US regulatory body received 15 adverse event reports suggesting inaccuracies. Abbott will conduct the study, involving 150 COVID-19 positive samples from a variety of clinical settings and promise to improve the test. more...

Confidence Comes With a Higher Caliber of Data - BIOTRAK® Real-Time Viable Particle Counter

18 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

Implementation of the BioTrak Real-Time Viable Particle Counter in fill-finish spaces eliminates the need for process interruptions for environmental microbial monitoring. In many cases, payback time can be less than one year even when considering maximal costs of implementation. more...

First-In-The-World SARS-CoV-2 Serology Test to Detect Neutralizing Antibodies

18 May 2020 | Clinical

Duke-NUS Medical School, GenScript Biotech Corporation and the Diagnostics Development Hub (DxD) have developed a rapid high-throughput assay that can detect neutralizing antibodies in one hour, without the need of live biological materials and biocontainment facility. more...

CHROMagar^™Serratia, First Chromogenic Medium for Serratia marcescens

15 May 2020 | Clinical

Serratia marcescens are implicated in nosocomial infections. Continuous surveillance demands effective recovery of clinical isolates and environmental samples. CHROMagar^™has developed CHROMagar^™ Serratia, the first chromogenic medium designed specifically to detect Serratia marcescens. more...

Rapid Concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater for COVID-19 Monitoring - White Paper

15 May 2020 | WaterClinical

How to test for SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater

The Innovaprep white paper describes how the Concentrating Pipette (CP) Select™ can be used to concentrate SARS-CoV-2 virus from wastewater, detecting at very low concentrations from about 10 copies per 100 mls. of influent to 120 copies per 100 liters of effluent. more...

Aflatoxin M1 Ultra ELISA Has Broadest, Most Sensitive Detection Range

13 May 2020 | Food & Beverage

New and improved Hygiena Aflatoxin M1 Ultra ELISA has broadest and most sensitive detection range and least cross reactivity with short detection time that is verified by third party validation. more...

One Hour CRISPR-Based COVID-19 Test Gets FDA-EUA

12 May 2020 | Clinical

The Sherlock™ CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 kit can provide results in one hour and has recently been granted EUA from the FDA. The kit works by programming a CRISPR molecule to detect SARS-CoV-2 and when found its enzyme is activated and releases a detectable signal. more...

Gemini Bio Announces Its Dedicated Effort to Help Support COVID-19 Research

12 May 2020 | Clinical

Gemini Bioproducts has announced its effort to help support COVID-19 research by prioritising products and services to assist its customers in four key areas: (1) cell culture, (2) viral harvesting and transport, (3) research tools, and (4) analytical instruments. more...

NF Validated AFNOR Certified Legiolert for Legionella pneumophila Detection

12 May 2020 | Water

Legiolert AFNOR validated Legionella test

Legiolert offers easy, rapid and accurate detection of Legionella pneumophila with confirmed results within 7 days. more...

iQ-Check Free DNA Removal Solution for Legionella

12 May 2020 | Food & BeverageWaterOther

Free DNA from dead or lysed cells can produce unconfirmed positive results when quantifying Legionella by PCR but when Bio-Rad's iQ-Check Free DNA Removal Solution (FDRS) is applied to the Aquadien DNA Extraction protocol, a 2.5 log reduction in signal from Free DNA can be achieved. more...

Bio-Rad’s Complete Solution for Legionella Testing

12 May 2020 | WaterPharmaceutical

Bio-Rad provides a complete range of products for the detection and the quantification of Legionella: Learn more! more...

Identifying Targets for Development of COVID-19 Drugs & Vaccines

11 May 2020 | Clinical

AMSBIO has extended its COVID-19 research portfolio with the introduction of a service to provide custom lentivirus pseudotyped with spike glycoprotein from SARS-CoV-2 to help researchers identify potential targets for the development of therapeutic drugs and vaccines. more...

Neutec Aids in the Fight Against COVID-19 with Automated Tube Fillers (VIDEO)

11 May 2020 | Laboratory Equipment

With the ability to fill up to 1000 test tubes per hour, the XY Tube and Bottle Filler, is fast becoming a mainstay in COVID-19 testing laboratories, as they begin to scale up to meet demand. It is the only instrument on the market that has an open system with flexibility for most racks. more...

Hands-Free LabElite Products Aid COVID-19 Efforts; Now Available with Fast-Ship Priority

07 May 2020 | ClinicalLaboratory Equipment

As part of Hamiltons aid in fighting the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic; it is fast-tracking orders on products used to research the virus. They have now added the hands-free LabElite DeCapper and I.D. Capper products; which automate tube capping, protects users from infection and prevents contamination. more...

A SARS-CoV-2 Extraction and Processing Workflow Without Delay

07 May 2020 | ClinicalLaboratory Equipment

Hamilton's MagEx STARlet automated workstation has been pre-scripted with Zymo Research's Quick-DNA/RNA™ Viral MagBead Kit. This now provides a fully automated SARS-CoV-2 sample handling workflow which includes sample extraction, purification and processing. more...

Biomonitoring Tools for SARS-CoV-2 & Other Pathogens in Air, Surfaces and Liquids

07 May 2020 | Food & BeverageWater

Evidence exists that SARS-COV-2 travels in aerosols and without a proactive monitoring program in place, there is a risk to public health. Innovaprep provides suitable portable devices that can rapidly detect pathogens at low levels in air, liquid and surfaces in the community. more...

ARTES Adapts Malaria & Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidates for SARS-CoV-2

06 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

ARTES Biotechnology has entered into the development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates using its virus-like particle (VLP) based platform technologies METAVAX® and SplitCore. These recombinant VLP's operate as antigen-presenting cells inducing neutralizing antibodies. more...

Roche COVID-19 CE-Marked Serology Test is Granted EUA by US FDA

05 May 2020 | Clinical

Roche’s Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay has a specificity higher than 99.8% and sensitivity of 100% (14 Days post-PCR confirmation). It runs on cobas e analysers and can give a result in approx. 18 minutes for one single test, with a test throughput of up to 300 tests/hour. more...

AstraZeneca Win Contract to Develop Oxford University's COVID-19 Vaccine

05 May 2020 | Pharmaceutical

AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford have announced an agreement for the global development and distribution of the University’s potential recombinant adenovirus vaccine aimed at preventing COVID-19 infection from SARS-CoV-2. more...

Intense Engineering Releases High-Speed COVID-19 Sample Prep System

05 May 2020 | ClinicalLaboratory Equipment

Intense Engineering has launched its HSP-1000, a fully-automated, purpose-built clinical/diagnostic platform for fast, safe and accurate COVID-19 sample tube testing. more...

Food Risks Related To COVID-19 - a bioMérieux White Paper

04 May 2020 | Food & Beverage

COVID-19 for food processors - white paper

What is the risk of contamination by SARS-CoV-2 through food, food contact surfaces or food packaging? Should we look for the presence of the virus in food or food contact surfaces? This bioMérieux white paper provides a useful resource for the food industry. more...

C4Hydro's Mobile Lab Gives Fast Legionella pneumophila Counts (by DIAMIDEX)

01 May 2020 | WaterPharmaceutical

C4 Hydro's Legio EZ product range can rapidly detect and quantify all serogroups of cultivable Legionella pneumophila in water samples using patented and award-winning technology. This easy to use test is a mobile laboratory and can provide fast and reliable data on treatment efficiency. more...

Bio-Rad's SARS-CoV-2 Assay is First Total Antibody Test To Receive FDA-EUA

01 May 2020 | Clinical

Bio-Rad's Platelia SARS-CoV-2 Total Ab assay has been granted FDA-EUA. Clinical evaluation of the SARS-CoV-2 Total Ab test has demonstrated diagnostic specificity of more than 99 per cent and diagnostic sensitivity of 98 percent. more...

Creative Diagnostics Launches SARS-CoV-2 Antigens and Antibodies for Research Use

01 May 2020 | Clinical

Creative Diagnostics launches SARS-CoV-2 antigens and antibodies for global researchers. more...

Stack MWE Liquid Transport Media with Text You Test to Identify Then Treat Click to discover more

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High Cost of HAI and Multi Drug Resistant Organisms MDROs

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