QIAGEN Enables Efforts to Eradicate Costly Cattle Disease
Collaboration with Swiss laboratory Microsynth AG pioneers nucleic acid-based primary screening for Bovine Viral Diarrhea
Microsynth AG is one of a few laboratories accredited by the Swiss government to perform tests for BVDV. The laboratory has signed exclusive contracts with several Swiss cantons accounting for about one-third of the Swiss cattle population to perform both initial tests based upon tissue samples and follow-up tests to verify positive results using blood samples. The main phase of the program will last three months and is scheduled to start in October 2008. Unlike in other countries, the Swiss program is designed to test every single animal, thus putting highest demands on test methodology and logistics.
Microsynth is pioneering the implementation of molecular testing for primary screening of BVDV, which provides several unique benefits compared to traditional testing methods aiming at viral antibodies or antigens. QIAGEN's cador BVDV assay is based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology and can detect even tiny traces of viral RNA from a wide range of biological samples. Unlike traditional methods, PCR enables the direct detection of the pathogen itself independent of the immune status of an animal, which is also important for the screening of newborn calves. The assay enables the testing of pooled samples and is suited for high-throughput settings. It has already proven successful by Microsynth in screening 50,000 samples from young animals before their first summer pasture. During the main phase of the eradication program, Microsynth expects to process as many as 350,000 biological samples in just three months. The agreement also covers continuing screening of newborn calves through October 2009.
Other news from the department business & finance
Most read news
More news from our other portals
See the theme worlds for related content
Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous
Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous