LANSING, Mich., June 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Neogen
Corporation (Nasdaq: NEOG) today announced the availability of next
generation sequencing services for the food industry, which will
enable food companies to accurately identify all bacteria in a
sample in a single genomic test.
Neogen's new NeoSeek™ genomic services utilize a novel
application of 16s metagenomics to determine all bacteria in a
sample, without introducing biases from culture media, and without
the need to generate a bacterial isolate for each possible microbe
in a sample. Comparing multiple sample types, such as raw
materials, environmental swabs and in-process materials, provides a
unique understanding of all the bacteria that may be present in a
food facility — and their sources. Companies can then use the
facility's "biomap" to make any necessary adjustments to their food
safety protocols.
"NeoSeek genomic testing services will provide food production
companies a new and deeper level of information that was previously
not accessible through traditional testing methods," said Neogen's
Ed Bradley, vice president of Food
Safety. "Accurately and definitively determining the bacteria
responsible for a food spoilage issue, for example, and where it
may be located in a facility using one test, can help the food
industry identify and eliminate food quality and safety concerns
before they occur."
The new NeoSeek tests will be performed at Neogen's GeneSeek
facilities in Lincoln, Neb.
GeneSeek is the largest animal genomics testing facility in the
world, and the new services will utilize the existing
infrastructure and expertise to provide additional value-added
genomic testing services for the food industry.
A key element of the NeoSeek service is its bioinformatics,
which have been supplied by Metagenome Analytics (MGA). MGA is a
leading company in food safety bioinformatics and will help Neogen
build and maintain industry-leading databases for the food
industry.
The addition of 16s metagenomics to NeoSeek builds upon an
existing portfolio of industry leading food safety genomic
services. NeoSeek genomic services includes Salmonella
serotyping, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)
confirmation service, and meat species identification. An overview
of the portfolio for genomic testing services is available at
foodsafety.neogen.com/en/neoseek.
Neogen Corporation develops and markets products dedicated to
food and animal safety. The company's Food Safety Division markets
dehydrated culture media, and diagnostic test kits to detect
foodborne bacteria, natural toxins, food allergens, drug residues,
plant diseases and sanitation concerns. Neogen's Animal Safety
Division is a leader in the development of animal genomics along
with the manufacturing and distribution of a variety of animal
healthcare products, including diagnostics, pharmaceuticals,
veterinary instruments, wound care and disinfectants.
CONTACT:
Joseph Heinzelmann
Neogen Corporation
517/372-9200
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neogen-expands-food-safety-genomic-testing-300475761.html
SOURCE Neogen Corporation