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LGC licenses first T5000 Biosensor System in Europe - and announces development agreement with Abbott

LGC Standards
5 Apr 2009
Emily Marquez-Vega
Publishing / Media

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LGC, the international science-based service company, has concluded an agreement with Abbott, a global healthcare company, to be the first diagnostics service provider in Europe to license the Ibis T5000 Biosensor System, for use in the rapid identification and characterisation of genomic material from microorganisms.

Under the terms of the agreement, LGC and Abbott will jointly identify and develop commercial diagnostic applications for the T5000 Biosensor System, which is currently used for research purposes. LGC will have an exclusive license to develop non-clinical applications in the UK and a non-exclusive license to develop clinical and food testing applications.

The T5000 Biosensor System is an automated platform for the rapid identification and characterisation of microorganisms. The platform technology for the system is based on a cutting-edge combination of PCR and high performance mass spectrometry. In combination with Abbott’s bespoke database of thousands of microorganisms, the Ibis T5000 is capable of identifying virtually all bacteria, viruses and fungi, and can provide information about drug resistance, virulence and strain type of these pathogens.

Current applications for the Ibis T5000 Biosensor System include epidemiologic surveillance, monitoring of pandemic diseases, identification of emerging or previously unknown pathogens, forensic characterization of human samples, identification of sources of hospital-associated infections, and, in the future, human infectious disease diagnostics. Abbott acquired Ibis Biosciences, Inc. from Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in January 2009.

An LGC microbial identification diagnostics service built around the T5000 Biosensor System is planned. The T5000 Biosensor System has already been deployed and endorsed by a number of US agencies involved in pathogen and infection control.

Dr Paul Debenham, Director of Innovation and Development at LGC, commented: “LGC is delighted to be working closely with Abbott to offer services built on this technology. LGC already offers a wide spectrum of analytical diagnostics services and we are looking forward to identifying possible new application areas for this exciting new platform”.

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Mass SpectrometryMass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique used to identify and quantify molecules based on the mass-to-charge ratio of gas-phase ions. It provides detailed information about the structure, composition, and properties of compounds and is widely used across fields such as environmental monitoring, materials science, drug discovery and development, food and beverage testing, and wider chemical research. Key MS techniques include tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LS-MS) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS). Choosing from these wide range of techniques and technologies can be a daunting task, so keep up to date with scientific applications, performance expectations, and customer reviews here all in one place. Visit our product directory to receive quotes direct from the manufacturer. Genome AnalysisGenomics, the study of genomes, includes functional genomics, evolutionary genomics and comparative genomics. There are many genomic technologies such as DNA sequencing of whole genomes, computational biology and bioinformatics. DNA and nucleic acids must be isolated and concentrated from cells for analysis with kits, automated analyzers and software. Other useful technologies for studying genomics include PCR, microarrays and electrophoresis.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.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.Point-of-CarePoint-of-Care Testing (POCT) or Near Patient Testing (NPT) products are available for urine, blood and other clinical chemistry analyses. POCT includes: blood glucose testing, blood gas and electrolytes analysis, rapid coagulation testing (PT / INR), rapid cardiac markers diagnostics, drugs of abuse screening, urine strips testing, pregnancy testing, fecal occult blood analysis, food pathogens screening, hemoglobin diagnostics, infectious disease testing and cholesterol screening.Software PlatformsSoftware platforms are useful for various stages of laboratory experiments from data collection to data storage and processing. For instance lab software is available for system control, data management, data analysis and qualification / validation.

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LGC licenses first T5000 Biosensor System in Europe - and announces development agreement with Abbott