Accugenix (a Division of Acculab, Inc.) is a unique microbiology laboratory utilizing state-of-the-art DNA sequencing and DNA fingerprinting technologies to identify and track microbes. Since 1990, Accugenix has offered a highly reliable, yet cost-effective, service to clients in industry and research throughout North America, with emphasis on clients requiring cGMP compliance in pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing, and in biotechnology and pharma R&D.

Accugenix has just introduced a validated, simple- to-use, sample preparation kit which allows customers to easily prepare and ship DNA extracted from bacterial or fungal cultures. Shipping DNA eliminates the international shipping restrictions, biohazards, and extra costs and paperwork associated with shipping live cultures. In addition, the kits are small and fit easily into a letter packet for overnight delivery. This, along with return of results by e-mail or fax, allows Accugenix to offer the same high quality service and turnaround worldwide that has previously been available only to customers in North America.

Use of the kit requires only the simple steps of inoculating a screw-top centrifuge tube containing a special reagent with a small loopful of sample, then immersing the tube(s) in a waterbath at 100°C for 10 minutes. After drying and cooling, the tubes can be snapped into a specially designed card for easy shipment.

The new “Boil-and-Go” kit will also be of interest to companies, both inside and outside of North America, who work with pathogenic organisms, as well as ones concerned about shipping samples of proprietary strains. Samples from these organisms can now be shipped in DNA form, thus eliminating the hazards, legal concerns, and extra costs associated with shipping live cultures.