News in Brief
Polyskope Labs update on AOAC approval and test launch
The move comes ahead of a commercial launch and pending AOAC International Performance Tested Method (PTM) approval of the multiplex RT-PCR Polyskope 1.0 test kits for detection of pathogens in food and environmental samples.
It allows Polyskope to place Thermo Fisher Scientific's Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR systems and reagents in customer labs for use with its kits.
The firm selected the instrument as its platform for launch two years ago.
Polyskope 1.0 kits can detect Shiga Toxin producing E. coli (including serotype O157:H7), Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, either individually or simultaneously, using a single RT-PCR protocol and enrichment media after 24 hours.
Co-enrichment of one to three pathogens is done using Polyskope's proprietary Multiplex Enrichment Media (PMEM).
Dr Michael Centola, Polyskope CSO, said QuantStudio is reliable in multiplex assays.
“The instruments have a suite of value-added features for customers, like cloud capability and remote run and analysis. Customers can now remotely run, analyze, and report results for samples processed on the QuantStudio system globally, from any PC, tablet or smart phone,” he said.
“This feature is a boon to large testing organizations with multiple satellite labs, as it eliminates the need for highly trained scientists to be present at every facility."
Polyskope completed validation and product testing of the AOAC PTM Independent Lab Study in January and expects to receive certification by April 2018.
The company will begin submissions for international approvals later this year with European availability scheduled mid-2019.
