Antimicrobial Activity Testing for Medical Devices: Enhancing Safety and Efficacy 

Antimicrobial activity testing is crucial in ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical devices. The presence of harmful microbes on these devices can lead to nosocomial infections and other complications, posing a significant risk to patients. Consequently, evaluating the antimicrobial properties of medical devices is essential to mitigate these risks and improve patient outcomes. 

Antimicrobial activity testing assesses the device's ability to inhibit or kill microorganisms, preventing their proliferation and transmission. By identifying medical devices with effective antimicrobial properties, healthcare facilities can select products that help reduce the risk of infections and minimize the need for additional antibiotics. This contributes to better patient safety, shorter hospital stays, and lower treatment costs. 

Implementing antimicrobial activity testing for medical devices ensures the continuous improvement of patient safety and the overall quality of healthcare. The results of such tests guide clinicians and healthcare providers in selecting devices with enhanced antimicrobial properties, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and reduced healthcare-associated infections. 

Contact Person: Dr. Eugene Ong Boon Beng (eugene@usm.my) and Dr. Tye Gee Jun (geejun@usm.my)

Antimicrobial Activity Testing for Medical Devices: Enhancing Safety and Efficacy 

Antimicrobial activity testing is crucial in ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical devices. The presence of harmful microbes on these devices can lead to nosocomial infections and other complications, posing a significant risk to patients. Consequently, evaluating the antimicrobial properties of medical devices is essential to mitigate these risks and improve patient outcomes. 

Antimicrobial activity testing assesses the device's ability to inhibit or kill microorganisms, preventing their proliferation and transmission. By identifying medical devices with effective antimicrobial properties, healthcare facilities can select products that help reduce the risk of infections and minimize the need for additional antibiotics. This contributes to better patient safety, shorter hospital stays, and lower treatment costs. 

Implementing antimicrobial activity testing for medical devices ensures the continuous improvement of patient safety and the overall quality of healthcare. The results of such tests guide clinicians and healthcare providers in selecting devices with enhanced antimicrobial properties, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and reduced healthcare-associated infections. 

Contact Person: Dr. Eugene Ong Boon Beng (eugene@usm.my) and Dr. Tye Gee Jun (geejun@usm.my)

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  SELEX and Binding Analysis

  Unlock the potential of aptamers with INFORMM's cutting-edge SELEX and binding analysis services. Our specialized unit offers comprehensive solutions for both DNA and RNA SELEX, ensuring the highest specificity and affinity for your target molecules.

  Contact person > khairulmf@usm.my

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  Particle size analysis

  Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) is a method, which measures the frequency shift of laser light reflected by particles in suspension moving by Brownian motion. The distribution of particle speed is converted to a size distribution. The measurement range for size distribution is from 6 nm to 6 microns (sample dependent).

  Contact person > nordyana@usm.my

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  Zeta Potential

  Zeta potential is a measure of the magnitude of the electrostatic or charge repulsion/attraction between particles and is one of the fundamental parameters known to affect stability. 

  Contact person > nordyana@usm.my

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  Autotitration

  Equip with MPT-2 Autotitrator - Automates experiments to study the effect of a change in sample conditions such as pH, isoelectric point, conductivity, or the concentration of an additive. Up to three titrants can be used to increase and decrease pH.

  Contact person > nordyana@usm.my

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  Prototype development (Lateral flow assay)

  INFORMM, USM Health Campus is offering a facility rental for prototype development on lateral flow assay. The facility is fully equipped from dispensing to packing of the product. 

  Contact person > fazlikhalid@usm.my

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  Typhoid Carrier Screening

  For effective management of typhoid, diagnosis of the disease must be done with speed and accuracy. At INFORMM, we offer tests for typhoid and typhoid carriers using our in-house developed antigen test.

  Contact person > amyamilda@usm.my

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  Pyrosequencing service

  Pyrosequencing is a type of DNA sequencing based on the “sequencing by synthesis” method. Pyro@INFORMM is offering a pyrosequencing service for SNP and mutational analysis as well as quantitative analysis of CpG methylation. 

  Contact person > fazlikhalid@usm.my

At INFORMM, we offer tests and services of special instruments to facilitate researchers and industries to fulfill their project needs. 

Our service using particle analyzer is ISO17025 accredited. Whilst our service for prototype development is ISO13485 accredited.

• Antibody production

  Antibody Service @ INFORMM

  Contact person >

• Protein expression / production

  Coming soon.

  Contact person

Screening and Confirmatory Tests for Typhoid and Typhoid Carriers: Enhancing Detection and Prevention

Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella Typhi, remains a significant public health concern, with chronic carriers acting as potential reservoirs for transmission. Early detection and identification of typhoid carriers are critical to prevent outbreaks and implement appropriate interventions. As food handlers have the potential to act as sources of disease transmission, the monitoring efforts are essential in maintaining food safety and preventing outbreaks. 

Implementing both screening and confirmatory tests for typhoid carriers provides several key benefits. Early detection of carriers allows for timely medical intervention and the initiation of appropriate treatment regimens. This reduces the risk of disease transmission, preventing outbreaks in communities and healthcare settings. Additionally, identifying carriers facilitates targeted contact tracing, enabling the isolation and treatment of individuals at high risk of infection. Furthermore, understanding the carrier status of individuals helps in developing preventive measures, such as vaccination campaigns and educational programs, to curb typhoid transmission and improve public health outcomes. 

INFORMM's expertise in the Dot Blot assay has positioned it as a go-to center for typhoid testing in Kelantan, Malaysia. By leveraging this technique's high accuracy and efficiency, INFORMM plays a vital role in providing timely and reliable diagnostic results, enabling healthcare professionals to diagnose typhoid infections promptly, including identifying typhoid carriers. 

INFORMM collaborates closely with Pejabat Kesihatan Awam di seluruh Kelantan to enhance the monitoring and management of typhoid cases among food handlers. INFORMM's expertise in using the Dot Blot assay enables Pejabat Kesihatan Awam di seluruh Kelantan to accurately screen and identify typhoid carriers among this at-risk population. 

As a leading diagnostic method, the Dot Blot assay is widely employed by INFORMM for the rapid and sensitive detection of specific antigens or antibodies associated with various infectious agents, including Salmonella typhi. INFORMM's team of skilled researchers utilizes the Dot Blot assay to identify and quantify typhoid-related antigens or antibodies in patient samples. The assay's simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and ability to process numerous samples simultaneously make it an essential tool in combating infectious diseases. 

Recognizing the significance of early detection and intervention, INFORMM collaborates closely with Pejabat Kesihatan Awam di seluruh Kelantan to enhance the monitoring and management of typhoid cases among food handlers. INFORMM's expertise in using the Dot Blot assay enables Pejabat Kesihatan Awam di seluruh Kelantan to accurately screen and identify typhoid carriers among this at-risk population. 

By partnering with INFORMM, Pejabat Kesihatan Awam di seluruh Kelantan can access advanced diagnostic capabilities and stay at the forefront of typhoid surveillance efforts. The collaboration ensures that timely and precise results are obtained, leading to prompt treatment, appropriate isolation measures, and targeted educational campaigns for food handlers. The synergy between INFORMM's diagnostic prowess and public health oversight enhances Malaysia's ability to effectively manage typhoid infections and prevent potential. 

Contact Person: Assoc. Professor Dr Aziah Ismail (aziahismail@usm.my)