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.

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!

**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 18^th of August. This is our main maintenance shutdown and we expect the laboratory to return to operational status on Friday 15^th 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 15^th 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.

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 FAQs 

Our rabies laboratory is now open and testing has resumed today. Samples which have arrived during our shutdown will be tested first followed by any new samples we receive.

Our rabies express service is also available as normal.

Please contact us at [email protected] for any

Important Information – Rabies Testing Unit Temporary Shutdown – Safety Cabinet Installation

We are temporarily shutting down our high containment rabies testing laboratory in order to install
replacement Safety Cabinets. This shutdown is required to ensure our Rabies Testing Unit equipment is operating to the highest standard possible.

All other areas of our business will operate as normal during this period.

The work will start later this month, with a timetable as follows:
19 Apr 23 (Wed) Last tests will be set up.
21 Apr 23 (Fri) Tests from 19 Apr 23 will be read and reported.
Normal testing resumes week beginning 08 May 23 (Exact date subject to engineer service sign off).

This means that no rabies testing will be available for a period of approximately 10 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 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.

Express Testing will not be available during the shutdown as the unit is closed and no tests can be set up.

If you may require certificates before 21 April 23 we would encourage you to send in samples as soon as possible in order to avoid any disappointment.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information regarding the shutdown.

**UPDATE 03Mar23**

We are pleased to report that our maintenance will be completed earlier than expected and we now intend to resume rabies testing on the 10th of March. As usual the backlog of samples will be tested in order of receipt but our express service will be available for any urgent samples.

We will shortly be shutting down our high containment rabies testing laboratory temporarily in order to complete routine maintenance. This shutdown is required to enable our engineers to gain access to the laboratory for routine servicing of equipment and facilities. This ensures that the laboratory and equipment are maintained to the highest standard. All other areas of our business will operate as normal during this period.

The work will start in February 23, with a timetable as follows:

• 22 Feb 23 (Wed) Last tests will be set up
• 24 Feb 23 (Fri) Tests from 22 Feb 23 will be read and reported.
• Week commencing 20 Mar 23 Normal testing resumes (Exact date subject to engineer service sign off).

This means that for a period of approximately 17 working days, no rabies testing will be available.

We will naturally use our best endeavours to 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 social media channels to confirm exact re-start dates.

As with previous shutdowns we will clear the testing backlog as quickly as possible to enable your results to get back to you within our usual normal published timescales. Once the facility returns to normal operations our express service will be available for any urgent samples, all other samples will be processed in order of receipt.

Express Testing will not be available during the shutdown as the unit is closed and no tests can be set up.

If you are aware of any clients that may require certificates before 24 Feb 23 we would encourage you to send in samples as soon as possible in order to avoid any disappointment. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information regarding the shutdown.