Category Archives: Uncategorised
Rabies Testing Unit Maintenance August 2024
Important Information – Rabies Testing Unit Routine Maintenance
There will be routine maintenance performed in our rabies laboratory for approximately a month starting in August. 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 August, 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 – 27 Sep 2024 – NO TESTING AVAILABLE
- 30 Sep (Mon) 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 from 02 Oct 2024 (Wed)
This means that no rabies testing (including express) will be available for a period of approximately 25 working days. 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 mentioned above normal testing is expected to resume on Monday 30th Sept subject to engineer service sign off.
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.
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]
Marine Biotoxin Testing
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Mastitis PCR Testing Schedule
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.
Rabies Testing Unit Maintenance March 2024
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) Â Â Last tests will be set up.
- 01 Mar 2024 (Fri) Â Â Â Â Tests from 28 Feb 2024 will be read and reported.
- 29 Feb 2024 – 22 Mar 2024 – NO TESTING AVAILABLE
- 22 Mar 2024 (Fri) Â Â Â Â 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.
Ada Lovelace Day
We had a wonderful time at the Ada Lovelace Day event at Edinburgh Technopole. Over 400 school children participated in workshops held at 8 Pioneer Group locations around the UK. The workshops aimed to inspire the next generation of women science and to amplify women’s presence in STEM, following the legacy of Ada Lovelace.
Well done to our Biobest Team, Ami, Kirsty, Katie and Suzanne, on a hugely successful workshop! The students learnt about different types of cells, both inside the body and the ones we use in our laboratories, and were able to look at different cell types down microscopes. They could then make up their own cell media and loved seeing how the colour changed as different reagents were added.
We hope everyone had as much fun as we did and we can’t wait for next year!
Rabies Testing **Update 13Sep23**
**Update**
Our routine maintenance is nearing completion. Unfortunately some of the maintenance overran which has delayed us slightly. We now hope to resume testing on the 19th of September and will begin working through the backlog of samples. Please contact our office team if you would like to use our rabies express testing to prioritise your samples.
Our rabies laboratory will be closed to allow routine annual maintenance from Friday the 18th of August. This is our main maintenance shutdown and we expect the laboratory to return to operational status on Friday 15th September.
Unfortunately, in the run up to this shutdown we have experienced a significant issue with a safety critical piece of plant in our high containment facility. This has prevented us from accessing the unit over the past 10 days and has caused a significant testing backlog. We are pleased to report that our specialist engineering team have worked tirelessly to fix the issue and we are currently setting up tests to clear the backlog of samples prior to our shutdown. The last opportunity for us to set up tests is th 16th of August and we will ensure that as many samples as possible are included on these tests. Any samples not tested will be prioritised when we resume testing on the 15th of September.
We would like to apologise to any customers who have experienced delays due to these recent issues, unfortunately these were due to factors beyond our control. The FAVN test uses infectious rabies virus and as such this work requires the highest levels of containment. Our highly specialist facility is very complex and the containment requirements make it very difficult and time-consuming to perform even the most basic repairs. Naturally containment of virus and safety have to remain our top priority.
Our dedicated admin team remain available to answers any questions you may have and any further updates will be posted on our website and social media channels.
Animal Health and Welfare Pathway
The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway has been set up to support farmers to transition to higher welfare practices, improve biosecurity, tackle antimicrobial resistance and reduce Greenhouse gas emissions by tackling disease and improving productivity.
The difference in profitability between a well run sheep farm and one with health issues is massive and chronic sub-clinical diseases can often be ignored by farmer and professionals alike. Intervention on BVD and worm control can substantially improve farm health, welfare and profitability.
The Pathway Review is intended for farmers with more than 10 cattle, 20 sheep or 50 pigs and includes an annual funded visit from a vet of the farmer’s choosing. This visit includes carrying out diagnostic testing, reviewing biosecurity and use of medicines, and providing bespoke advice in writing.
The Review is currently for England only, however, Scotland has recently launched similar funding in support of farms.
Visit the information page on our website for more details and FAQsÂ