New system applicable to foodstuff and clinical samples, currently for salmonella and listeria, incorporates a disposable plastic device in which the complete assay takes place
Picosorb is involved with innovation, design, manufacturing and marketing of laboratory instrumentation.
BactiProbe is a new bacteria detection system applicable to foodstuff and clinical samples, currently for Salmonella and Listeria.
The system incorporates a contained disposable plastic device, or PicoPak, in which the complete assay takes place.
The methodology is an immunomagnetic assay with luminometric endpoint giving enhanced sensitivity and specificity.
The BactiProbe instrument processes these disposable cartridges automatically and is a fully open system.
Various techniques have been studied including antibody based methods that rely on magnetic beads to capture the bacteria of interest followed by washing and detection by an enzyme labelled conjugate.
The BactiProbe on-board luminometer has been used in all the studies and both peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase have been used successfully when detected with luminol based reagents.
The methodology has been utilised in a real life in relation to a salmonella outbreak and the Environmental Health Department's involvement at a retail outlet in the north west of England.
It was commented that the detection system was useful in helping the Environmental Health Department to isolate the source and keep numbers affected to a minimum and within significantly less time than using traditional methods.
The BactiProbe as a magnetic bead processor can also be used to automatically prepare extracts of DNA for amplification by PCR.
The system can capture, purify and concentrate 60 DNA samples in 15 minutes, using magnetic bead technology, and subsequently give increased amplification sensitivity.
Picosorb says it is actively seeking partners, particularly in this application area.
