Latest News from Meridian Life Science

A flu outbreak at the University of Michigan is suggestive of a bad flu season and the current circulating strain, H3N2, often leads to higher rates of hospitalization and death.

The last season where H3N2 was the dominant strain was in 2017, when the U.S. had the worst and longest season since the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic.  Multiplex testing will be essential this season for the differential diagnosis of COVID and the flu, learn more about Meridian’s reagent solutions for both immuno and molecular multiplex assays.

Saliva/Sputum Specific RT-qPCR Mix Air-Dryable Direct RNA/DNA qPCR Saliva #MDX131 A glycerol-free mix designed for the direct detection of DNA and RNA from saliva (no extraction for RNA/DNA needed).  Contains excipients compatible with oven drying.

MAb to SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Capture #9547 Detection #9548 Pair detects variant strains Alpha B.1.1.7, Beta B.1.351, Gamma P.1/P.2 and Delta B.1.617.2.   MAb to RSV Fusion Protein Capture #C01769M  Detection #C01773M Capture #C65063M Detection #C65065M Antibodies detect the fusion protein of RSV A and B strains

Inhibitor-Tolerant RT-qPCR Mixes Inhibitor-Tolerant RT-qPCR Mix #MDX016 Suitable for developing multiplex assays from inhibitor-rich sample types such as blood, urine, and spinal fluid.   Air-Dryable 1-Step RT-qPCR Mix #MDX095 Inhibitor-tolerant, glycerol-free mix that contains excipients compatible with oven-drying to create multiplex, ambient-temperature stable assays.    Lyo-Ready 1-Step RT-qPCR Mix #MDX024 Glycerol-free mix that contains excipients compatible with lyophilization to create multiplex, ambient-temperature stable assays.     Fast 1-Step RT-qPCR Mix #MDX032 RT-qPCR mix formulated for fast, automated, high-throughput systems.

MAb to Flu A Nucleoprotein Capture #C01736M Detection #C01731M Capture #C01732M Detection #C01731M No cross-reactivity with Influenza B nucleoprotein MAb to Flu B Nucleoprotein Capture #C01746M Detection #C01747M Capture #C01747M Detection #C01744M Capture #C01744M Detection #C01897M No cross-reactivity with Influenza A nucleoprotein

Read more about COVID/Flu/RSV Multiplexing

Download the new whitepaper to learn about the benefits of multiplex testing for the differential diagnosis of COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

Meridian is expanding its market-leading specimen-specific molecular product line with the new Lyo-Ready™ Direct DNA/RNA qPCR Saliva master mixes! These mixes are capable of sensitive detection of DNA or RNA from unprocessed saliva samples. They are glycerol-free, 4x concentrated and contain an optimized blend of excipients that are compatible with lyophilization to easily create ambient-temperature stable assays! Never extract again!

Product Highlights:

• Simple and easy to use, all components are included – just add primers/probes
• Suitable for direct detection of very low titers of RNA or DNA in singleplex or multiplex assays using saliva or sputum samples
• Mixes can be used in a liquid or dry format, reducing the cost and complexity of developing an ambient-temperature stable assay
• Compatible with a range of lyophilization protocols