covid-19 response
26
Issue 4 2020
COVID-19 – Accelerate your PCR setup I
ntegra have developed the Assist-Plus pipetting robot to streamline routine pipetting tasks at an affordable price. Integra’s partner BioTools deployed an Assist-Plus pipetting robot in a molecular diagnostics lab in Brisbane. The emergence and outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has placed unprecedented demands on laboratories testing patient samples for COVID-19, leaving scientific
staff to contend with a spiralling influx of COVID-19 samples and a rapid, continuous growth in workload. Among the challenges faced by the Microbiology and Molecular Pathology Department at Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology (SNP) – part of the Sonic Healthcare Group – in Brisbane, Australia, is the increased pressure on laboratory automation used for both coronavirus and pre-existing respiratory virus panel testing. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic,
SNP using the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot to test for COVID-19
Eradicating the microbes that cause disease and infection
SNP found itself analysing extreme numbers of samples, which exhausted the capacity of its automation platforms. At the same time, staff were faced with a need to spend more time working up new virus testing protocols, which were often performed manually or using semi-automated methods to fast track test response times, leaving them prone to increased ergonomic strain. There was a clear need for additional automated liquid handling instruments to increase sample processing capacity, reduce manual intervention by laboratory analysts and fast track assay development for COVID-19 sample testing. In early March 2020, Kelly Magin and James Sundholm from Integra’s Australian distributor, BioTools Pty Ltd, partnered with Shane Byrne, Scientific Department Head, Microbiology and Molecular Pathology Department, to support COVID-19 testing of patient samples using the Assist Plus pipetting robot. An Assist Plus automated pipetting protocol was developed and validated, enabling samples to be prepared in low volume, 384 well plates for subsequent processing on a rapid, high throughput, platebased, real-time PCR amplification and detection instrument. A Voyager adjustable tip spacing pipette and Low Retention
GripTips were used to transfer One-step RT-PCR Mastermix from a low dead volume (<20µl) SureFlo 10ml Reagent Reservoir into a 384 well plate. The Voyager pipette also allowed automatic transfer and reformatting of nucleic acid template extracted from combined nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal flocked swab(s) or sputum samples, from 4 x FluidX 1.0ml 96 format tube racks into the 384 well plate. The total PCR reaction volume was reduced to 10µl; 7.5µl Onestep RT-PCR Mastermix and 2.5µl of nucleic acid template. This miniaturisation doubled the available testing capacity and simultaneously reduced consumption of expensive One-Step RT-PCR reagents of dwindling availability, with associated cost savings. All products to accelerate your own PCR setup are available from Labotec in South Africa. LABOTEC (PTY) LTD JHB: (011) 315 5434 CPT: (021) 531 7660 DBN: (031) 566 4870 Fax: (011) 315 5882 sales@labotec.co.za www.labotec.co.za
COVID-19 testing laboratory solution
T
he COVID-19 infection has made all of us very much more aware of hygiene and sanitisation practices. It’s imperative that workplaces, schools and healthcare facilities cleaned, disinfected and sanitised regularly. Saniserve now provides a complete disinfection service that eradicates the microbes that transmit disease and infection. The company’s fogging solution uses lactic-based Residual Barrier Technology, an environmentally-friendly disinfectant that does not contain harmful toxic substances or cause damage to the environment. This lactic sanitiser is neither chlorine-based nor alcohol-based. Saniserve’s Residual Barrier Technology is eco-friendly, biodegradable, GM free and safe for human contact. Additionally, the product is both animal-safe and food-safe, and is effective for use on fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as in bakeries and food production facilities. Saniserve’s fogging solution is recommended for effective preventative deep sanitisation on a regular basis or, alternatively, as a remedial action following exposure or an infection on the premises. Also available is a surface sanitising product for daily use that meets COVID-19 workplace standards, which is particularly effective for hot spots such as door handles, kitchen counters and fridge handles and other ‘high touch’ areas. Saniserve is ideal for use in offices, warehouses, cars, buses and mini-
E busses, doctors’ surgeries, creches and schools, and when moving into a new home or premises. The product is not just effective against the COVID-19 virus but also TB, swine flu, E. coli, Listeria, Legionella salmonella, Staphylococcus and much more. All enveloped viruses as defined in EN 14476:2013 + A2:2019 Annex A are covered. Annex A includes all coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2. Certifications are available on request. A certificate with product accreditation is provided on completion of the fogging process. Contact Saniserve for an obligation-free quote and an economical solution to your hygiene requirements.
ins-Sci, an international company specialising in laboratory equipment, has compiled a complete SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) Testing Laboratory Solution including all the equipment and the quantities required to set up the laboratory. Eins-Sci Director, Bradley Rautenbach, says the company has pioneered the release of an all-in-one laboratory equipment solution to help hospitals, enterprises and new testing facilities roll out full in-house testing capabilities quickly and easily. “Organisations with thousands of employees, health care groups and public sector facilities may need to invest in new laboratory equipment as the demand for COVID-19 testing rises around the country,” he says. “Additionally, due to the increase of tests, institutions may face
challenges in storing and transporting samples to testing labs, leading to delays in positive and negative results. With internal testing laboratories, depending on the skill level of the laboratory technicians, they will be able to reduce potential delays and get results in a matter of hours.” The Coronavirus Testing Laboratory Solution includes all the necessary pipettes, liquid handling, autoclave, biosafety cabinets, computer and UPS, fridge/freezer, high speed micro centrifuge, nano centrifuges, real time quantitative PCR, dry bath and vortex mixers. The solution was designed in accordance with the best practice 2019-nCoV Nucleic Acid Test SOP released by Peking Union Medical College Hospital. For further information about the EinsSci solution, go to https://bit.ly/2N8onL3. Eins-Sci will be exhibiting at analytica Lab Africa next year.
SANISERVE
EINS-SCI LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
Tel: 078 549 3323 sales@saniserve.co.za www.saniserve.co.za
Tel: (011) 613 5616 info@eins-sci.com www.eins-sci.com
