Life Technologies Develops Testing Workflow for Pathogens

CARLSBAD, Calif. - Life Technologies has developed a complete rapid molecular testing workflow for multiple strains of pathogenic Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC), a bacteria found in undercooked beef, the company announced.

Life Technologies has been collaborating with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to validate assay designs against an extensive panel of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic STECs of various o- group and origin. The result is highly-specific, single-target PCR assays which can be multiplexed to provide high levels of accuracy for a high-throughput screening assay, the company said.

"The more strains of E. coli that meat producers can quickly and accurately analyze, the more likely they can ensure that beef is safe for public consumption, and poses no threat of illnesses caused by foodborne bacterium," said Nir Nimrodi, vice president and general manager of food safety and animal health at Life Technologies. 

For more information, visit LifeTechnologies.com.