Automated Histology Instrument for DNA Testing

A new histology instrument for protein, DNA, and RNA testing automates the labor-intensive steps required in baking, dewaxing, cell conditioning, and staining tissue, leading to increased productivity and faster turnaround time for pathology laboratories.

The new instrument can perform immunochemistry (IHC) stains, in-situ hybridization (ISH) stains and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) stains on tissue and cytologic patient samples. The IHC menu includes 214 primary antibodies, including the breast cancer marker HER-2neu. ISH tests, to be launched in the fourth quarter, will include probe tests for human papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Kappa and Lambda. A gene test for HER-2neu will also be offered.

Called Benchmark, the instrument is the product of Ventanta Medical Systems, Inc. (Tucson, AZ, USA), a supplier of automated instrument reagent systems. Labs using Benchmark, says Ventana, can realize productivity improvements of more than 60%. Also, with Benchmark, histology technicians will not be exposed to toxic organic solvents, such as Xylene, and alcohol during the staining run. The instrument comes with a data management system that keeps track of reagent inventories, maintains quality control records, and monitors all functions.

"Now we produce one tracking document instead of four, making us more efficient with paperwork,” explained Donna Willis, histology laboratory manager at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth (TX, USA). "Further, it allows my histotechs to concentrate on tasks that require technical expertise rather than the mundane steps of a manual procedure.”