Concateno plc - global drug testing services

 

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information on our Cozart^® Microplate EIA kits, please see below or contact us.

Q: Can I use forensic blood samples and what about preservatives?

Q: Would forensic blood samples or preservatives effect the detection limit?

Q: Can the kits be used in hair testing?

Q: Can the kits be automated?

Q: Do I have to run a full plate?

Q: Can I run different drug strips in the same run?

Q: Can I use whole blood samples without extraction?

Q: Can I test fluids, other than blood, with the kits?

Q: Do I need specialised equipment to run the plates?

Q: What additional reagents are needed to run the kits?
 

Q: Can I use forensic blood samples and what about preservatives?
A: The kits work well with both ante-mortem and post-mortem blood samples. A wide range of preservatives such as Fluoride; Oxalate; EDTA and Heparin have been tested and shown not to interfere.

Q: Would forensic blood samples or preservatives effect the detection limit?
A: No. The microplate kits are inherently more sensitive than conventional methods (such as GC-MS). A typical 1 in 5 dilution of sample in water would not compromise the detection limit of the test.

Q: Can the kits be used in hair testing?
A: Yes. The microplate kits offer an easy method for screening hair extracts.
 

Q: Can the kits be automated?
A: Yes. The assays are easily automated and we have laboratory instruments that offer total automation. You simply load on samples (which can be bar-coded) and reagents and the instrument does the rest. For technical support, please contact our Clinical Diagnostics team, who will be glad to advise on instrumentation suitable to your application.
 

Q: Do I have to run a full plate?
A: No. The plate is made from 12 strips of 8 wells, each held vertically in a plastic frame allowing individual strips to be used. If needed, individual wells can be snapped off and used allowing for complete flexibility.
 

Q: Can I run different drug strips in the same run?
A: Yes. The majority of kits employ the same incubation times and all kits have the same substrate, wash buffer and stop solutions.
 

Q: Can I use whole blood samples without extraction?
A: Yes. The sensitivity of the microplate kits allows for a simple pre-dilution in water. No organic solvent extraction is required.
 

Q: Can I test fluids, other than blood, with the kits?
A: Many other bodily fluids such as urine, oral fluid, stomach contents, faeces, ocular fluid and tissue homogenates have been successfully tested. Indeed samples of wine and beer have also been evaluated. Our Clinical Diagnostics team would be glad to advise for a particular application.
 

Q: Do I need specialised equipment to run the plates?
A: No. The kits are designed to work with standardised laboratory 96 well plate readers and washers. The only requirement is a 450nm filter for the reader. Shaking and heated incubators are not required.
 

Q: What additional reagents are needed to run the kits?
A: Distilled or deionised water is the only extra item required to prepare the wash buffer. All other components are contained in the kit with the exception of some of the specialised kits that we offer.
 

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