Services

OMB operates from a fully equipped molecular microbiology laboratory. We offer testing of various samples including rivers, lakes, industrial and domestic wastewaters to provide insights into their biology and chemistry. We have designed several combinatorial approaches to provide valuable information and inform the end user on characteristics such as biodegradability or toxicity; data unable to be obtained solely from traditional chemical analysis. We are always keen to work with new companies for contract research and development of novel biosensors.

 

Testing

Biosensor Testing

We can also offer proprietary tests based on OMB Biosensor technology:

  • Toxicity (Tox) - combined toxic effect in a complex sample

  • Genotoxicity (Genotox) - ability of a sample to cause double-stranded DNA breakages

  • Environmental bacteria lethality testing (EBLT) – to determine whether the toxicity in a sample is lethal or inhibitory (permanent or transient)

  • Pre-emptive Design testing (PEDT) – we can advise on degradability of products at the end of their life in order to aid pre-emptive design e.g. garment dyes, metal working fluids etc.

  • Metals and antibiotics presence testing (MPT and APT) – using proprietary metals and antibiotics sensors (please enquire as to availability)

additional testing

  • Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

  • Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

  • Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) / Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

  • pH

  • Antibiotic resistance (Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, Erythromycin, Cefoxitin, Kanamycin, Penicillin, Streptomycin, Sulphafurazole, Tetracycline)

  • Metals (20 metals measured with Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS))

  • Total coliforms & E. coli

The above tests are able to be conducted on a minimum of 10 samples, and a bespoke package can be designed, combining any of the number of tests to produce a report tailored to the specific site/treatment plant/location. Please contact us via our form for a quote or to discuss your requirements further.

Bespoke Biosensors

OMB are also able to offer custom-designed biosensors – if you require a specific biosensor to be developed for your particular industry or site, our team of molecular biologists can design and construct bespoke sensors to fit your requirements. This is a significant undertaking and typically takes between 9 and 18 months depending on complexity.

 

Product Development

OMB ltd are currently developing a portable detection kit which will enable any OMB biosensor to be used in the field. Kits will be highly portable and will enable the user to rapidly detect toxicity of numerous water-based samples with minimal training. Data will be relayed wirelessly to the cloud to enable detailed analysis remotely using on OMBs extensive chemical response database. Kits and consumables will be extensively trialled in 2020 in the UK, Bangladesh and China prior to production for sale. If you wish to be involved in the trial or to hear about progress, please use our contact form to get in touch.