Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about bacteria samples and bacterial microorganisms? Learn the answers and how ZeptoMetrix makes a difference in the infectious disease diagnostics market.

  • 1. What Is A Bacteria Sample?

    A bacteria sample is typically extracted to determine if an infection is present in the body. During a culture test, the bacteria sample is taken via blood, urine, skin or other parts of the body. Once a bacteria culture test is conducted, appropriate measures can be taken to treat the infection, if necessary.

  • 2. What Is A Bacteria Collection?

    Also referred to as a "culture collection," a bacteria collection is a repository of different types of strains of species and subspecies. It is used for research purposes and focuses on acquisition, authentication, production, preservation, cataloging and distribution.

  • 3. What Are Bacteria Organisms?

    Bacteria organisms are single-celled microbes. Unlike other organisms, their cell structure has no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles. Instead, a single loop of DNA contains their genetic information.

  • 4. What Are Bacteria Cultures?

    Bacteria cultures are tests used to determine whether bacteria or fungi are infecting a wound. These tests are done on bacteria samples once they're extracted.

  • 5. What Are Bacteria Isolates?

    The phrase "bacteria isolates" refers to the separation of a strain from a natural, mixed population of bacteria in order to identify microbes of interest. The bacteria can be isolated from water, soil or living beings with skin flora, oral flora or gut flora. The two main ways to isolate bacteria consist of:

    • Streaking - a technique used to isolate a pure strain from a single species of microorganism.
    • The pouring plate method - a technique used to count the number of colony-forming bacteria present in a liquid specimen.
  • 6. What Are Bacterial Microorganisms?

    Microorganisms are microscopic organisms that exist as unicellular, multicellular or cell clusters. They're beneficial to life but can also cause harm. Bacterial microorganisms are a unicellular type of organism existing in four major shapes: bacillus, coccus, spirilla and vibrio.

  • What is the stability and storage requirements for products?

    All of our ZeptoMetrix NATtrol™ products are refrigerator stable (2-8C). Other products may have different requirements and should be stored as indicated on the Package Insert (PI). If stored properly products are stable through the expiration dates printed on each vial / kit.

  • Is the NATtrol™ Control/Panel infectious?

    NATtrol™ products are non-infectious. Good laboratory practices recommend using Universal Precautions when handling these products as suggested.

  • How do I use the Control?

    NATtrol™ controls should be used per the information found in product documentation and/or as guided by diagnostic platform suppliers.

  • What is the stability and storage for titered bacterial culture material?

    Expiration date is 2 years from date of manufacture and must be stored frozen at -65C or below. These products are shipped frozen on dry ice. One freeze thaw cycle is acceptable.

  • Can I quantitate controls?

    Many of the NATtrol™ products are qualitative and are listed as such in our product documentation. External Run Controls and Linearity Panels are quantitative and this information can be found in the appropriate product documentation.

  • What do I need to order live culture material (microorganisms)?

    Live cultured material is infectious and requires a signed Material Transfer Agreement (MTA).

  • What is the shelf life of NATtrol products?

    Generally a minimum of 12 months on all products. Some products may have 15-18 month shelf life as stability studies continue on real-time basis and product expiration dates will be updated accordingly.

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