PHARMACEUTICAL
PHARMACEUTICAL MICROBIOLOGY
Read articles about pharmaceutical microbiology from Microbiologics’ experts and other field experts.
Top 5 Success Strategies for Picking the Right CRO Partner
When it comes to pre-clinical and clinical research in drug and therapy development, there are several areas of responsibility where sponsors may outsource key functions to a Contract Research Organization (CRO). The reasons vary, but the top two are cost...
The Public Health Crisis of Antimicrobial Resistance
What if the latest tech device had all the bells and whistles everyone wanted and was far better than anything currently being sold, but the marketer was told he could not sell it until all the previous versions of his device had broken? And then, he had to sell his...
Top 10 Custom Control Strains
Since we launched our Custom Solutions program for environmental isolates and objectionable organisms in 2011, the most common strains have remained remarkably consistent. Even as the customers we serve (and the products they manufacture) have become increasingly...
The Challenges of Mycoplasma Testing for USP <63> Compliance
As the use of cell lines to produce biopharmaceuticals continues to increase, Mycoplasma testing is a growing quality control challenge. Because of its unique properties, Mycoplasma poses many challenges for detection and management. Mycoplasma contamination can...
8 Aerobic Plate Count Best Practices
Several factors can influence the accuracy of aerobic plate counts used to estimate the number of microorganisms in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and household products. Below are a few best practices we recommend for achieving consistent and accurate counts. 1. ...
9 Gram Staining Best Practices
Gram staining is an important procedure all microbiologists should master. A laboratorian performs a Gram stain for many reasons - from screening the quality of a sputum sample to rapid presumptive diagnosis of an illness like bacterial meningitis. How to Perform a...
Tips for Choosing and Using Microorganisms for Education
In 2016, two biologists from Indiana University estimated that there are about a trillion species of bacteria on earth.1 With so many choices, how can a teacher select the best strains for her microbiology class? Below are a few tips for choosing and using...
8 Antimicrobial Effectiveness Test (AET) Best Practices
What do taking two children, a dog and a cat on a cross-country road trip and performing the Antimicrobial Effectiveness Test (AET) have in common? They both require heaps of planning and an abundance of patience. So, if the test is so challenging, why do it? The AET...
Dear Stanley: Investigating False Positive Results
Dear Stanley, Lately, our lab has been experiencing PCR results that don’t fit with what is expected. We will see occasional positive results in a negative sample. I think the issue could be related to contamination in the lab, but I’m not sure. Do you have any tips...
Microbiology’s Wild West: Cannabis Lab Leaders Talk Testing Methods and Regulations
Cannabis has become a widely accepted form of medicine for patients across the United States. These patients, many of whom are immunocompromised, rely on testing laboratories to ensure the safety of the products they use. The lack of consistent and clear regulations...
