Following the installation of an ABX Pentra 400 chemistry analyser at the University of Oxford, researchers in the department of physiology, anatomy and genetics say they are feeling the benefits
Researching the role of diet and exercise on heart function, the team at the University of Oxford daily analyses plasma metabolite levels, lactate, triglycerides, ketones and fatty acids in blood.
The ABX Pentra 400 has become invaluable to the laboratory's cardiac metabolism research, enabling faster turnaround of results and facilitating the use of smaller sample sizes.
Prior to the installation, tests were often performed manually at the bench where possible or grouped together into batches before being sent for analysis at the Churchill Hospital, often creating a delay of weeks in receiving results.
Now, same day results are achieved.
"Installing the ABX Pentra 400 has enabled us to bring all our work on-site where previously we were outsourcing costly assays to the NHS," explains Emma Carter, laboratory manager at the department of physiology, anatomy and genetics.
In doing so, consistency and reliability is maintained across all research areas.
"Florence, as our ABX Pentra 400 is known, has become invaluable to our research.
"Having the analyser has enabled rapid delivery of results, enabling researchers to continue working with the minimum of delay," continues Carter.
As an extended project, Carter has been using the ABX Pentra 400 to look at how quickly ketones are metabolised in blood.
By spiking blood samples with a ketone ester developed in the laboratory, she has been able to monitor the rate of metabolism every five minutes by analysing small samples.
"I can have my waterbath right next to the analyser and monitor my results during the experiment, something that would have been impossible with our previous manual set up," explains Carter.
By bringing all their analysis resource on-site with the ABX Pentra 400, the team at the University of Oxford has been able to expand their research to new avenues, taking on smaller projects requiring quicker return of results.
As with any change of analyser and technology there is a learning curve however the team at the University of Oxford found the ABX Pentra 400 easy to adapt to as Carter explains: "Although things were different to start with, it all became second nature quite quickly.
"I received excellent one-on-one training from Horiba ABX which in-turn has enabled me to train others in the laboratory to use the machine.
"I love my ABX Pentra 400 and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone working in biochemistry research," concludes Carter.
