We are pleased to announce that arrangements have been made which will allow us to offer a limited rabies testing service during the upcoming maintenance shutdown of our laboratory. We are in the process of  finalising the logistics for this and will confirm details shortly.

Please note that turnaround times are expected to be longer than usual during this period. However, we remain committed to minimising any inconvenience to our customers. Unfortunately, our rabies express service will not be available during the shutdown, meaning that all samples will be tested in the order they are received.

This service will only be available to our UK and EU based customers. For customers outside these regions, we are actively exploring alternative options and again will share updates as soon as possible.

We appreciate the major inconvenience that these essential upgrade works will cause our customers and we appreciate your patience while we have been arranging alternatives.

Please keep an eye on our website and social media channels for further updates.

We wish to inform our customers of an upcoming temporary shutdown of our rabies testing facility. The laboratory, a state-of-the-art high-containment facility, requires significant upgrades to its effluent treatment plant in order to maintain the highest safety standards. Due to the critical nature of this equipment, we must close the facility for the duration of these works.

To minimise any disruption, we have scheduled this closure over the festive period, the quietest time of year for testing. The laboratory will formally shut down on November 29th, with work commencing on December 2nd. The last tests prior to shutdown will be set up on November 27th. We will make every effort to complete all samples received on or before this date.

This major upgrade is expected to take up to 15 weeks. To expedite the process, our engineering team will be working extended hours, including weekends. We are also exploring options to operate with limited capacity during the upgrade period, but please be aware that rabies testing may not be possible for the full duration.

We will provide ongoing updates through our website, social media channels, and email. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our dedicated rabies team at 0131 440 2628 or via email.

UPDATE 10Oct24:

Our rabies laboratory routine maintenance and equipment upgrade is now complete and we have resumed testing. We will process results as quickly as we can, please contact [email protected] with any queries.

UPDATE 07Oct24:

Our rabies laboratory routine maintenance and equipment upgrade is nearing completion. We expect to start reporting results from Monday 14th October 2024 all being well. Please contact [email protected] for further information.

UPDATE 27Sep24:

We are nearing the end of our current maintenance and equipment upgrade and we are currently on track to resume testing in the week commencing 7^th October 2024 all being well.

Samples received during this time will be tested in order of receipt date and results are expected to be reported within 2 weeks of reopening.

Express samples will be tested first with results within 2-3 working days. This test is available to any customers who require it for an additional fee.

Please email [email protected] for further information

Important Information – Rabies Testing Unit Routine Maintenance

There will be routine maintenance performed in our rabies laboratory starting in August 2024. This is required to ensure that safety critical equipment within the facility is operating to the highest possible standards.

This maintenance will take place with a timetable as follows:

• 21 Aug 2024 (Wed) Last tests will be set up.

• 23 Aug 2024 (Fri) Tests from 21 Aug 2024 will be read and reported.

• 22 Aug 2024 – early October 2024 – NO TESTING AVAILABLE

• Expected date for normal testing to resume will be early October 2024 however this may be subject to change due to circumstances outwith our control.

No rabies testing (including express) will be available during the maintenance period. We will ensure the works are completed as quickly as possible to minimise the downtime and service disruptions to our customers. During the shutdown we will post updates on our website & social media channels to confirm exact re-start dates.

As with previous shutdowns we will clear the testing backlog as quickly as possible to return to normal published timescales. Once the facility returns to normal operations our express service will be available for any urgent samples and all other samples will be processed in order of receipt date.

Please continue to send samples for testing, we will prepare and store them appropriately.

If you are aware of any clients that may require certificates before the end of August/September, we would encourage you to send in samples as soon as possible to avoid any disappointment.

All other areas of our business will operate as normal during this period. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]

In the wake of recent challenges with the supply of lateral flow tests, we understand the critical need for a trustworthy and precise marine biotoxin testing service. As such Biobest are excited to relaunch our marine biotoxin ELISA testing service for ASP, DSP and PSP, a cutting-edge solution that ensures the safety of your products with unparalleled accuracy.

Key Features:

1. Advanced Technology: Our toxin testing service utilizes state-of-the-art ELISA testing methodologies, surpassing the limitations of traditional lateral flow tests. The ELISA technology we use ensures precise detection of toxins, providing you with reliable results every time.
2. Expert Team: Our team of experienced scientists and technicians are dedicated to delivering results you can trust. With a commitment to excellence, we strive to exceed industry standards, providing you with the confidence to make informed decisions.
3. Quick Turnaround: Time is of the essence in toxin testing. Our service is designed for efficiency, delivering swift results without compromising accuracy. Our streamlined process ensures you get the information you need promptly, allowing you to take immediate action.

By choosing our ELISA toxin testing service you will elevate your toxin testing standards. In a world where safety is paramount, our service stands as a beacon of reliability, ensuring your peace of mind and the well-being of your consumers.

Our dedicated team would be delighted to hear from any potential customers who are interested in using our services. Please contact Stuart Marshall or Paul Burr to discuss your requirements.

From next week (26Feb24) we will be changing our Mastitis PCR testing schedule to weekly, with tests being set up on Thursdays.

Mastitis is one of the most significant health and welfare problems in UK dairy herds and our mastitis diagnostic test, using quantitative real time PCR to identify the bacteria involved, is quicker and more accurate than other bacteriology tests available.

Please ensure samples arrive the day before the test is scheduled and those tested should have results on the same or next day.

Contact us on [email protected] for any queries.

Our rabies testing unit will be undergoing routine maintenance in March 2024.  This is required to ensure that safety critical equipment within the facility is operating to the highest possible standards.

This maintenance will take place in March 2024, with a timetable as follows:

• 28 Feb 2024 (Wed)   Last tests will be set up.

• 01 Mar 2024 (Fri)     Tests from 28 Feb 2024 will be read and reported.

• 29 Feb 2024 – 22 Mar 2024 – NO TESTING AVAILABLE

• 22 Mar 2024 (Fri)     Expected date for normal testing to resume however this may be subject to change due to circumstances outwith our control.

• First results expected to be reported by 25 Mar 2024 (Mon)

This means that no rabies testing (including express) will be available for a period of approximately 17 working days. We will ensure the works are completed as quickly as possible to minimise the downtime and service disruptions to our customers. During this period we will post regular updates on our website & social media channels to confirm exact re-start dates.

Please email [email protected] if you require further advice or assistance.