Assay speeds contaminant hunt

The Millipore/Roka Bioscience collaboration reported earlier is bearing additional fruit: A tool for early detection of mycoplasma contamination in bioprocessing. The partners have an assay for Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the market already.

Millipore says that the MilliPROBE Detection System for Mycoplasma cuts to four hours the traditional culture-based detection time of 28 to 35 days. The assay builds on the company's mycoplasma risk management efforts and integrates sample-preparation and testing technologies with molecular diagnostics technologies from Roka.

The difficult-to-eliminate mycoplasma is a self-replicating bacterium that invades biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes, the company says. Its presence can lead to batch destruction and even facility shutdown for decontamination.

The alliance has plans to develop detection techniques for additional bioprocess contaminants and to commercialize assays.

- here's the Millipore announcement

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