SAI Acquires the Biolog System!
The Biolog system can rapidly identify over 1,900 species of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, yeast, and fungi. This system provides reference laboratory identifications using a 96-well microplate testing format which has become the gold standard for non-genetic identification systems. When an organism is introduced to the pre-selected carbon sources in the microplate, a characteristic “metabolic fingerprint” is rapidly produced which are automatically read and matched to a comprehensive database.
The Biolog system has many inherent advantages over genetic-based identification systems such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Although scientific literature suggests that non-living organisms possess the potential for causing allergies and producing toxins, non-living bacteria or fungi have not been shown to cause disease, as can their viable (living) counterparts. PCR can identify only a very limited number of micro-organisms, and cannot differentiate between viable and non-viable organisms (alive or dead). The results obtained from Biolog are living, growing organisms. Additionally, the Biolog identification system is far superior to PCR in that it provides much more comprehensive information, enabling identification of over 1,900 species of bacteria, yeast, and fungi compared to the less than 100 species identified with PCR.
Areas of Use
The Identification Systems have applications in all fields of Microbiology.
- Clinical
- Veterinary
- Biotechnology
- Pharmaceutical
- Cosmetics
- Quality Control
- Environmental
- Food & Beverage
- Agriculture
- Plant Pathology
- Biological Control
- Bioremediation
- Microbial Communities
- Marine/Aquaculture
- Research
AIHA Accreditation Awarded to Greensboro Laboratory
Scientific Analytical Institute, Inc. (SAI) is pleased to announce the accreditation of its Greensboro, North Carolina Microbiology Lab by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).
According to AIHA, when a laboratory is accredited, the laboratory and its clients have the assurance that the laboratory has met defined standards for performance based on examination of a variety of criteria. SAI now becomes part of an elite group of laboratories achieving and maintaining a high level of professional performance.
About AIHA’s Accreditation Program
AIHA’s Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Accreditation Program (EMLAP) is specifically designed for microbiology laboratories specializing in analysis for microorganisms commonly detected in air, fluids, and bulk samples collected from schools, offices, hospitals, industrial, agricultural and other work environments. It is vital that the laboratory analyzing the samples be proficient in producing high quality data on which important health decisions will be based. SAI’s accreditation from AIHA is a mark of that capability.
AIHA characterizes laboratories as meeting and/or exceeding distinct standards of performance based on assessment criteria. The assessment included personnel qualifications, participation in proficiency testing programs, facilities, quality assurance, laboratory records, methods of analyses, standard operating procedures, and site visits.
“SAI’s accreditation was granted with absolutely zero deficiencies during the assessment process. This is an unprecedented achievement.” said Nathaniel Durham, Co-Founder and Laboratory Director for SAI. “Every person in the laboratory had a role in this certification — they all came together as an incredible team.”