Microbioz India- November Healthcare Edition

Product Launches

The laboratory also offers a drive-thru COVID testing Central laboratory: EKF, through its wholly owned
service, as well as a COVID pass digital health app for subsidiary, Stanbio Laboratory (Boerne, Texas, USA),
travelers to present standardized, verifiable proof of a manufactures a comprehensive range of clinical
negative COVID test. chemistry reagents, as well as associated analyzers. In
addition, EKF Life Sciences (Elkhart, Indiana, USA)
While the growth of ADL Health has been accelerated manufactures enzymes used in reagent development
by its COVID testing capabilities, its wider testing and also provides contract fermentation facilities.
offering, including current and planned capabilities,
both complement and broaden EKF’s existing COVID-19 testing: EKF also sells a range of COVID-
diagnostics portfolio, which include test kit 19 testing products, including: PrimeStore MTM, an
manufacturing and point-of-care diagnostic FDA-approved and CE marked sample containment
instrumentation. device that allows the safe handling, transportation
and analysis of test swabs and samples, which it
Mike Salter, Chief Executive Officer of EKF, manufactures under license; and COVID-SeroKlir, a
commented: “The acquisition of ADL Health affirms leading ELISA-based antibody test from Kantaro
EKF’s position as a leading provider of diagnostic Biosciences that provides a precise quantitative
products and services, including a testing offering that measurement of COVID-19 IgG antibodies.
our industry partners have been looking for us to
provide. The ability to offer testing for a wide range of New Instant Inoculator™
diseases, combined with our existing point-of-care QC Microorganisms
device, reagent, sample collection, kitting and Eliminate Prep Work and
manufacturing services, positions us as a single Simplify Microbiology
provider able to encompass all products and services Control Testing with One-
from ‘sample-to-result’. Step Method

Stanley Crawford III, COO and Founder of Advanced Story source: Stratix Labs
Diagnostic Laboratory added: “We are excited to
become a member of the EKF Diagnostics family.
The combination of a premier CLIA lab with a
powerhouse such as EKF not only creates a whole
new capability for the Group but also provides the
combined Group with compelling opportunities to
drive growth by meeting more of our clients’ needs.”

About EKF Diagnostics

EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc, which includes the
EKF Diagnostics, Stanbio Laboratory and DiaSpect
brands, specializes in the development, production
and worldwide distribution of point-of-care analyzers
for use in the detection and management of diabetes
and anemia, and also in sports and maternal medicine.
EKF products are sold in more than 100 countries
around the globe, through a network of specialist
distributors.

Point-of-care diagnostics: EKF Diagnostics designs I nstant Inoculator™ eliminates prep work and
and manufactures world-class diagnostic devices, as reduces risk of error with its one-step method
well as distributing rapid test kits for infectious Stratix Labs has unveiled Instant
diseases and pregnancy. The EKF analyzer range is Inoculator™ QC microorganisms, a novel ready-to-
used widely in GP surgeries, pharmacies, blood banks, use product that delivers reference microorganisms
sports clinics, hospitals and laboratories for glucose, to solid media with a simple one-step method.
lactate, hemoglobin, hematocrit and HbA1c
measurement.

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Product Launches

Each device comes individually sealed with Advanced cryo-EM sample
authentic reference microorganisms coated and support from MRC LMB to
preserved on the applicator region. be added to the Quantifoil
range
Using a patent-pending technology, the Instant
Inoculator™ directly transfers isolated colonies to Story source: Quantifoil Micro Tools GmbH
solid media. It requires no preparation, no rehydration,
and no liquid handling. Simply spread the Instant
Inoculator™ on solid media for 5-10 seconds to
deliver an ideal spread of isolated colonies.

"By eliminating all prep work, including rehydration
and liquid handling steps, Instant Inoculator™ is
positioned as the easiest and simplest way to work with
reference microorganisms. And with its one-step
direct transfer method, it reduces opportunity for
error and contamination in microbiology testing
workflows," said Stratix Labs CEO Mark Mulvahill.

Reference microorganisms are a crucial part of
microbiology testing, including in quality control for
clinical, pharmaceutical, medical device, food &
beverage, cosmetic, and dietary supplement industries.

"We set out to create a product that simplifies
microbiology testing across industries. As a company
founded by microbiologists, we know that increasing
efficiency and reducing risk of error is important. With
Instant Inoculator™ we’ve set the bar for the easiest
way to use reference microorganisms in microbiology
applications," said Mulvahill.

Instant Inoculator™ is designed for use with solid HexAuFoil® is a new all-gold cryo-
media, including traditional agar plates as well as electron microscope sample support
alternative systems such as dry sheet media for technology that enables movement-
culturing microorganisms. A variety of reference free imaging to increase data quality and speed
strains are available in the Instant Inoculator™ format in biological structure determination for drug
and Stratix Labs is rapidly expanding the list of discovery and basic research.
available strains. Stratix Labs invites requests for new
reference strains or environmental isolates in the Quantifoil, world-leading supplier of electron
Instant Inoculator™ format. microscopy (EM) sample supports, has signed an
exclusive contract to add HexAuFoil® advanced cryo-
About Stratix Labs EM supports to their range. These all-gold supports
have been designed to help structural biology
Stratix Labs is a biotechnology company based out of researchers in pharma, biotech and academia
St. Paul, Minnesota. Using a proprietary technology maximize data collection speed and resolution.
for preserving microorganisms, Stratix Labs creates
innovative products that advance microbiology in Over the last decade, the use of cryo-EM to study
research, development, and quality control biomolecules has increased exponentially, and it can
applications. now produce truly atomic resolution structures.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 52

Product Launches

However, sample preparation is widely recognised as Medical research charity LifeArc, which supports
a significant problem slowing the routine use of the Medical Research Council (MRC) scientists in
technique for drug discovery and basic research. translating their innovative research towards the clinic,
Plunge-freezing of biological samples is required for worked closely with Chris Russo and Katerina
cryo-EM analysis, but results in the build up of Naydenova to file applications for a patent and
compressive strain in the ice. Release of this strain due trademark for this technology, and led licensing
to electron-beam induced local heating causes the negotiations. “LifeArc was instrumental in identifying
image to blur. Quantifoil as the ideal partner to commit the resources
and expertise required to bring this high-quality
Chris Russo and Katerina Naydenova of the world- product to the market as quickly as possible. The first
leading MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) HexAuFoil® products will make an essential
in Cambridge, UK, created HexAuFoil® gold contribution to the continuously growing cryo-EM
supports to overcome this issue. The <1 µm holes in field, which the LMB leads,” said Georgia Gliki, Senior
the supports maintain a ratio of hole size to ice Business Manager, Technology Transfer at LifeArc.
thickness that prevents strain building to a high
enough level for these effects to occur. As a result, About Quantifoil
particles remain stationary and structures can be
extrapolated to zero dose before the biomolecules are Quantifoil Micro Tools GmbH pioneered the
damaged by exposure to the electron beam. In Chris commercialization of perforated support films for
Russo’s own words, “By using these grids, your data is electron microscopy with convenient predefined hole
always better: bringing the movement to zero size, shape and arrangement. With more than 20
improves every image you take.” geometries on a full range of TEM grid materials and
designs, the range of support foils provides high
An additional benefit is that the hexagonal hole performance and flexibility to support diverse electron
arrangement has a high-packing density that leads to microscopy research needs. The growing product
higher data collection rates and therefore increases the portfolio encompasses UltrAuFoil® Holey gold
throughput of resolved structures which is important supports on gold grids which, by reducing beam-
for rapid lead optimization. induced motion, allow researchers to obtain higher
quality structures of even the most challenging targets.
Quantifoil joined SPT Labtech in 2019. Russell King,
Head of Cryo-EM at SPT Labtech commented, “The About SPT Labtech
improved performance offered by these supports will
allow multiple structures to be resolved in a single day, SPT Labtech makes products that transform the way
cementing the role of cryo-EM at the heart of the drug scientists work. For nearly two decades, our expert
discovery process.” HexAuFoil® grids have already scientists, engineers and business innovators have
been successfully trialled on a number of biomolecular created innovative solutions for liquid handling,
samples, including the SARS-COV-2 RNA-dependent sample preparation and management that help
RNA polymerase, and will make a vital contribution to accelerate research and make a real difference to
the development of novel therapeutics and basic human health. We work collaboratively with our
research alike. customers, building trusted relationships that enable
us to deliver exceptional, personalized experiences
designed for real world challenges in the lab.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 53

Featured Article

BPL Alpinion Ecube 8 series with upgraded power view
technology and crystal signature experience

BPL Alpinion systems provide There is another well-known
affordable solution for enhancing technology available in BPL
imaging experience with latest addition Alpinion Ecube 8 ultrasound is
of power view technology and crystal signature Crystal Signature. BPL
in mid-range segment. Alpinion ultrasound products
are based on PMN-PT (lead-
BPL has Ecube 8 series in premium mid - range magnesium-niobate lead-
segment which caters all kind of ultrasound titanate) single crystal
imaging. For any radiologist image quality technology in transducers.
is the most important criteria to make
diagnosis. PMN-PT single crystal technology
is far superior then Piezoelectric
Ecube 8 series provides excellent single crystal technology since it
image quality and color pick up through its
wide variety of transducers. has more bandwidth and as a
result more detailed and lower
BPL Alpinion Ecube 8 Ultrasound brought noise images can be produced.
Power View Technology which enhances
efficiency through heat dissipation of This technology requires less
transducers. In daily practice where voltage compared to PZT single
transducers have been used for longer
hours, they tend to heat and as a result crystal therefore less
loses efficiency day by day but with the waste of heat which adds
help of Power View Technology longer life to transducers
transducers have longer life and more and more bandwidth.
durability.
In ultrasound imaging where
In power view technology there is a cooling main challenge is to get best diagnostic
architecture integrated which doesn’t allow crystal images even in obese patients Power view
to heat and as a result adds more life to the technology and Crystal signature will help
transducers. Radiologists/Sonologists to overcome such issues
and can confidently report diagnosis.
This Power view Technology not only helps
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penetration and higher resolution to the user. Ecube 8 series provides advance softwares for
3D/4D, Needle Vision, Auto NT, Auto IMT, Stress
Echo, Strain Echo etc.

For more information: [email protected],
[email protected]

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PUBLISHED ON: 25th November 2021 RNI NUMBER: UPENG/2017/73675

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