Alliance in microbial identification

Bruker Daltonics and Kiestra Lab Automation have announced an alliance in the co-marketing and cross selling of their products, as well as a joint research and development programme for interfacing their technologies.

High-throughput MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is reported to allow quick classification and identification of microorganisms using proteomic fingerprinting. Bruker claims that the company’s MALDI biotyper requires minimal sample preparation efforts and offers low consumables cost per sample.

"This strategic partnership with Kiestra Lab Automation is an excellent match for Bruker”, said Dr Wolfgang Pusch, vice president for clinical research solutions and IVD at Bruker Daltonics. “We are two leading suppliers offering innovative technologies for the microbiology market, in laboratory automation and in molecular microbial ID."

Kiestra produces a full automatic colony picker, which the company claims prevents possible manual mismatches, as well as allowing laboratories to reduce id-card usage and reduce labour costs.

“An early identification by the MALDI Biotyper in many cases can already initiate a germ-specific therapy, which leads to a significant increase in laboratory and hospital efficacy”, said Jetze Botma, CEO at Kiestra Lab Automation. “The effective combination of both technologies will help to ease the burden on the healthcare system."

For more information visit Bruker’s website at www.bruker.com and Kiestra’s website at www.kiestra.nl