Automated Colony Counting of Spiral Plates Improves Patient Care at Major European Teaching Hospital

February 14th 2006, Cambridge, UK: Cambridge, UK: Synbiosis, a world-leading manufacturer of automated microbiological systems is pleased to announce that its ProtoCOL automated colony counter, is being used at one of Europe’s largest teaching hospitals, to quickly control the spread of bacterial infections.

Scientists in the hospital are using the ProtoCOL in conjunction with a WASP automated spiral plater, to speed up examination of large numbers of clinical samples, for potentially life threatening bacteria such as, MRSA, Salmonella and Clostridium.

A biomedical scientist at the hospital explained: “We need to count a large number of spiral plates containing different agar types and bacteria every day. We have to produce accurate results rapidly because patients’ lives can depend on getting the correct treatment in time, and using a ProtoCOL is the only practical way we can do this.”

“We chose the system because other departments at a nearby University were using the ProtoCOL and WASP in combination and were happy with their capabilities. When we tested the ProtoCOL and found it could perform accurate counts in seconds, we knew it would be ideal for us,” continued the scientist.

Martin Smith for Synbiosis added: “We have worked closely with a leading manufacturer of spiral platers for many years to ensure Synbiosis systems analyse spiral plates consistently and reproducibly. The work at this major hospital demonstrates how a ProtoCOL makes it easy for clinical microbiologist to save valuable time by automating spiral plate counts and, more importantly, how this can help protect public health.”

-Ends-

For Further Information Contact:

Jayne Arthur, Synbiosis, Beacon House, Nuffield Road, Cambridge, CB4 1TF, UK.
Tel: +44(0) 1223-727125 Fax +44 (0) 1223-727101
Email: jayne.arthur@synbiosis.com  Web site: www.synbiosis.com 

Editor Contact:
Dr Sue Pearson, PO Box 170, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 3GD, UK.
Tel/Fax +44 (0)1462-635327 Email: sue6.pearson@ntlworld.com

Note to Editors

About Synbiosis

Synbiosis is a world-leading supplier of integrated imaging solutions for automatic counting and analysis of microbial colonies and zone measurement. The ProtoCOL and åCOLyte systems from Synbiosis are installed in food, pharmaceutical, environmental and research microbiology laboratories world-wide. Synbiosis uses established distribution channels to market its products internationally.

Synbiosis, founded in 1998 is a division of the Synoptics Group based in Cambridge UK. The Group’s other divisions, Syncroscopy and Syngene, specialise in digital imaging solutions for microscopy and molecular biology applications respectively. Synoptics currently employs over 50 people in its UK and US subsidiary operation.