ITHACA, N.Y. — Rheonix, Inc., a developer of fully automated molecular testing solutions, will showcase its research-use-only Encompass Optimum™ workstation at the 32nd Annual Clinical Virology Symposium and Annual Meeting of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology on May 19-22 at the Hilton Daytona Beach in Daytona Beach, Florida. The workstation performs fully automated, complex molecular assays in an easy-to-use and economical format, addressing workflow and staffing obstacles that research laboratories are facing today.
The Encompass Optimum workstation, when integrated with a Rheonix Chemistry and Reagent Device cartridge, or Rheonix CARD® cartridge, is designed for building and implementing molecular assays with automated workflow. It can dramatically decrease the complexities of creating user-defined testing while increasing efficiency and accuracy. This technology delivers:
- Automation – several biological samples can run concurrently through a fully integrated molecular analysis with no user intervention due to automatic manipulation of the network of microfluidic pumps moving fluids through the cartridge’s channels
- Ease of Use – users can create their own sample-to-answer fully automated, complex molecular assays where only the simple step of loading samples and the consumable cartridge is performed by hand; all sample manipulation and assay steps are performed by the workstation
- Cost Savings – automated technology allows multiple samples to run simultaneously in a shortened timeframe; assay steps are performed within the fully enclosed cartridge while interfaced with the workstation, eliminating contamination, reducing user error, and streamlining workflow; increased staff efficiencies result in a lower total cost of ownership for laboratories
- Versatility – users have the flexibility to configure and control all aspects of assay performance with a broad range of sample types; modular architecture allows for rapid development of analytical solutions for the complete spectrum of user needs
“Today’s research laboratories are constrained by a lack of labor and a shortage of highly specialized technicians capable of performing complex work,” said Steve Pemberton, vice president of sales and marketing at Rheonix. “The Encompass Optimum workstation can help laboratories alleviate this limitation by streamlining molecular analysis workflows, simplifying the analytical process and increasing efficiencies.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 16 percent by 2024. However, research from The American Society for Clinical Pathology shows that laboratories are faced with many staffing challenges, including hiring difficulties, an aging workforce with staff nearing retirement, and the closure of many training programs that prepared the next generation of qualified professionals.
In addition to the research-use-only capabilities of the Encompass Optimum, under a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant in collaboration with New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD), Rheonix has successfully completed development and testing of a microfluidic system and assay to simultaneously detect host anti-HIV antibodies and viral RNA in a single specimen of saliva or blood. The company’s findings are outlined in the research article, “A Rapid, Self-confirming Assay for HIV: Simultaneous Detection of Anti-HIV Antibodies and Viral RNA,” in the Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research. This assay is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for diagnostic use. Rheonix also recently received funding to pursue development of a rapid Zika virus diagnostic.
The Clinical Virology Symposium will provide a forum for the meaningful exchange of ideas dealing with viral infections and is led by biomedical scientists engaged in research and primary care physicians and laboratorians involved with patient care. The relationship between rapid viral diagnosis, clinical course of viral infections and preventive and therapeutic modalities for viral infections is the theme of this three-and-one-half day meeting.
Attendees are invited to stop by booth 131 to meet the Rheonix team and learn more about how its microfluidic molecular analytical solutions can be used to improve efficiencies in research laboratories.
For more information on Rheonix, visit www.rheonix.com.
About Rheonix:
Through experienced leadership and creative vision, Rheonix has developed the Encompass Optimum™ workstation, a highly customizable technology with unmatched versatility and affordability for use in research laboratories. The workstation performs fully automated, complex molecular assays in an easy-to-use and economical format on the Rheonix CARD® cartridge. With both the Rheonix CARD cartridge and Encompass Optimum workstation family of products, Rheonix is well positioned to penetrate key molecular testing market sectors. For more information, visit www.rheonix.com.
# # #
