Applications

Endotoxins (Lipopolysaccharides, LPS) are biologically active structural components of the outer cell membrane of all Gram-negative bacteria. The biological activity of endotoxins is associated with the LPS, toxicity with the lipid component (Lipid A) of LPS and immunogenicity with the polysaccharide components of the molecules. Therefore endotoxins mediate a variety of pro-inflammatory and toxic functions. Hyglos established product range for endotoxin removal, EndoTrap®, produces high yields with extremely low endotoxin levels for maximized research and downstream results. Products are available for large-scale endotoxin removal in biomanufacturing as well as for small-scale research and development.

> Read more about Hyglos endotoxin removal products here

Hyglos is introducing a new method for efficient and reliable determination of endotoxins (LPS) based on its proprietary phage ligand technology. An enormous advantage of Hyglos’ approach is the heterogenous microtiter plate based assay format (96-well microplate with 8-well strips). The LPS from the sample is specifically immobilized for detection while interfering ingredients such as proteins or beta glucans are removed by a washing step. This enables the Hyglos method to precisely determine the endotoxin without matrix effects, without dilution and with a broad pH tolerance.

> Read more about Hyglos endotoxin detection assay here

Hyglos' microbiology product range focuses on innovative bacteria capture systems targeting foodborne pathogens such as Listeria and E. coli O157. Based on patented binding and lysing molecules derived from bacteriophages these products reduce time-to-result and greatly improve the quality of microbiological testing. The fast and high quality sample preparation removes the need for traditional media based on selective enrichment. It is a time- and cost-saving method.

> Read more about Hyglos selective enrichment products here

Furthermore, the specific bacteria binding phage-ligands developed by Hyglos find their use in commercially available food testing products by Hyglos long-term cooperation partner bioMérieux (http://www.biomerieux.com/). The groundbreaking new assay generation VIDAS® UP uses Hyglos phage-ligands instead of antibodies. For example, VIDAS® UP E. coli O157:H7 is the fastest method available to detect E. coli O157 (including H7) in raw beef and has obtained both AFNOR and AOAC-RI approvals. The method can deliver results in as little as eight hours, where traditional methods can take up to 24 hours. It also has the built-in flexibility of analyzing a broader range of sample sizes (up to 375 grams), allowing the food industry to more effectively manage quality control processes and improve risk management. VIDAS® is the world's leading automated system for food-borne pathogen detection.

Hyglos lytic phage-molecules target the following important applications:

• Food preservation
• Decolonization of Propionibacterium acnes
• Decolonization of Clostridium
• Decolonization of MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

> Read more here

Publication: Bacterial sublessees in the human nose (german)

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See the film showing the rapid lysis of Staphylococcus aureus with Hyglos anti-Staph lytic phage-molecule (above right)