SelectScience
Join Free
Accelerating Science
NewsLife Sciences

Dante Labs to process 50,000 Covid-19 tests per day at ex-Lighthouse Lab site at Charnwood Campus

Dante Labs

The company seeks to become a global centre of excellence for whole genome sequencing

29 Jul 2021
Cameron Smith-Craig
Cameron Smith-Craig
Pharma and Applied Sciences Editor

Industry news

Dante Labs has announced it has taken on a state-of-the-art laboratory, formally a Lighthouse Lab, at the Charnwood Campus in Loughborough. The Charnwood lab will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will deliver Covid-19 RT-PCR testing and clinical whole genome sequencing at scale.

The lab will use smart automation and machine learning to enable superior precision, sample tracking and quality. The initial capacity will be 50,000 Covid-19 samples per day.

The site will employ expert scientists, researchers, technicians, and other highly skilled workers, many of whom will be drawn from the local area. As such Dante Labs will benefit from an abundance of top life sciences talent, with some of the UK’s most prestigious universities on its doorstep. The lab hopes to become a destination for talented graduates looking to take the first step in their life sciences careers.

Andrea Riposati, CEO at Dante Labs said, “We’re truly delighted to be moving into the Charnwood Campus. Not only will the lab help accelerate the UK’s Covid-19 testing and sequencing capability, but it will also see us invest in the vibrant local community. Our expertise in whole genome sequencing and testing means that this lab will immediately play a crucial role today in managing the Covid-19 pandemic, and in the next decades to enable whole genome-based personalized medicine across the world.”

Gosia Khrais, Commercial Director at Charnwood Campus said, “All at Charnwood Campus are excited to welcome Dante Labs as new occupiers to the site. The team’s leading life sciences experience, capacity and expertise will be a valuable addition to the campus and the local community. The long-term management of, and research into, Covid-19 is vital work and something we at Charnwood are honored to be a part of.”

With a presence in the UK, Italy and the United Arab Emirates, Dante Labs has carried out over three million Covid-19 tests since the start of the pandemic. The Cambridge-headquartered company is investing heavily in UK facilities, personnel and research and development following the success of its partnership with NHS Test and Trace.

Dante Labs is a global leader in whole-genome sequencing, which not only has the potential to better our understanding of Covid-19 transmissibility and variants but will transform global healthcare systems and accelerate the implementation of precision medicine. The business has performed tens of thousands of whole-genome sequencing tests for individuals in 97 countries and counting.

Last week, Dante Labs appointed Illumina Chief Operations Officer Bob Ragusa as a Board Member, to bolster its global precision medicine initiative.

Dante Labs recently acquired Cambridge Cancer Genomics as part of its ambition to create global excellence in precision oncology with the potential of impacting millions of patients worldwide from the UK.

Want the latest science news straight to your inbox? Become a SelectScience member for free today>>

Links

Dante Labs

Tags

PCR and Thermal CyclingPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) kits and thermal cyclers are used for the in vitro amplification of DNA permitting subsequent analysis and experimental procedures. Explore a range of high-quality polymerase, primers and nucleotides or simplify your workflow with a PCR mastermix. Find reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and cDNA synthesis kits for RNA products and libraries. Quantitatively measure the amplification of DNA with real-time PCR (qPCR) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) kits and systems, and discover automated PCR setup solutions to increase throughput. Alternative DNA amplification methods also include recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) kits. Find the best PCR kits and thermal cyclers and purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.ImmunologyImmunological techniques measure and characterize immune responses. Immunology kits and analysis systems often use techniques such as ELISA, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunodiffusion assays, Immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Immunologists use equipment such as flow Cytometers, plate readers, plate washers and fluorescent microscopes.Clinical MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Genome SequencingGenome sequencing involves determining the complete DNA sequence of an organism's genome. It provides crucial information about genetic variations, mutations, and diseases. Advances in sequencing technologies, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), have accelerated research in genomics, diagnostics, and personalized medicine. Explore genome sequencing tools in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Real-Time PCRReal-time PCR (RT-PCR) is a technique used to amplify and simultaneously quantify nucleic acids in real time. It is a key tool in gene expression analysis, pathogen detection, and diagnostics. RT-PCR allows for the detection of specific RNA or DNA sequences with high sensitivity and specificity. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best Real-Time PCR systems; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Covid-19COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has led to a global health crisis with profound impacts on societies and economies. Research into diagnostics, vaccines, treatments, and understanding viral mechanisms continues to evolve. The pandemic has accelerated innovations in healthcare and biopharmaceuticals, including novel vaccine platforms and rapid testing technologies. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find top COVID-19 testing kits, research tools, vaccines, and treatments, compare products, read reviews, and receive direct pricing from manufacturers.

Related articles

Dante Labs to process 50,000 Covid-19 tests per day at ex-Lighthouse Lab site at Charnwood Campus