Synbiosis has announced that its ProtoCOL 3 automated inhibition zone measurement system is being used at a major UK-based microbiological contract testing laboratory to speed up throughput of its antibiotic susceptibility testing.
Microbiologists at the laboratory are using a ProtoCOL 3 and SynStats software to measure zones, determine each antibiotic’s potency from measurement data and produce a result in an instant. Using the ProtoCOL 3 and SynStats software in combination is helping the microbiologists to increase their throughput when determining the efficacy of new antibiotics.
Before deploying the new system, the lab used to perform approximately five or six, 5+1 assays each week on square plates and was measuring inhibition zones manually. It was taking the microbiologists around 30-40 minutes to measure the 25 zones and read each square plate, which meant several hours of measuring to complete an assay run. The lab needed to speed up its throughput, as it was being asked to take on much larger projects. Three systems were tested and the lab decided that in terms of value-for-money and performance, the ProtoCOL 3 came out in front.
Kate George, Applications Specialist at Synbiosis, commented: “There is a growing need worldwide for new antibiotics to combat life-threatening bacterial infections and we’re pleased to hear the ProtoCOL 3 is helping scientists at this contract testing firm with their regulatory quality testing. Their use of Synbiosis technology is a testament to the fact that the ProtoCOL 3 automated inhibition zone measurement system and SynStats software are an excellent combination for any pharma or CRO that needs to cost-effectively increase productivity of their antibiotic sensitivity testing.”
