Fully Automated Molecular Diagnostic System

A new fully automated, high throughput molecular diagnostic system can be used in both clinical laboratories and blood-screening laboratories to reduce costs and improve workflow.

In a clinical trial, equivalency between the system and existing semi-automated systems was shown by using an amplified nucleic acid test (NAT) for simultaneously detecting Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The Aptima Combo 2 assay of Gen-Probe, Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA; www.gen-probe.com) was used in the trial. Gen-Probe also developed the new diagnostic system, called Tigris DTS, which the company says is the first fully automated molecular diagnostic testing system.

Tigris has the ability to process up to 500 samples in an eight-hour shift and up to 1,000 samples in about 13 hours. For this reason, the system is expected to significantly reduce labor, improve efficiency and operator ergonomics, and reduce the risk of contamination associated with NAT assays. To meet these goals, Tigris is designed to integrate and automate all the steps associated with Gen-Probe's latest amplified NAT assays, including sample processing, amplification, detection, and results processing.

"Our goal now is to expand the menu of tests that can be performed on the Tigris system, including our blood screening and clinical diagnostics product lines,” said Henry L. Nordhoff, chairman, president, and CEO of Gen-Probe.




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