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Sanquin Reagents Amsterdam
Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation On January 1998 the Dutch Red Cross Blood Banks and the Cemtral Laboratory (CLB) merged into the Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, generally known as Sanquin. Sanquin is a not-for-profit organisation that provides blood supplies and promotes transfusion medicine, in a manner that meets the most stringent quality, safety and efficiency requirements. The foundation provides products and services, carries out research and provides education. Sanquin has over 3000 employees in the Netherlands. Sanquin Reagents Sanquin (CLB) was among the first manufacturers of blood grouping and immune reagents. As a spin-off of its research facilities and diagnostic laboratories, Sanquin has been able to develop a broad range of reagents, including several innovative products for diagnostic use and for fundamental and clinical research. Sanquin’s blood grouping and immune reagents are worldwide available through a network of distributors, who act as an intermediate between the local clients and Sanquin for physical product distribution, information and services. Sanquin is ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified and at the end of 2003 all diagnostic products have been CE marked according to the European IVD- guidelines. Sanquin Reagents has 60 employees dedicated to development, production, QA/QC, marketing, sales and distribution. Please contact us for further information: reagents@sanquin.nl Sanquin Blood Grouping Reagents Blood grouping reagents are essential tools for diagnostic laboratories specialised in serology. The broad range of reagents developed by Sanquin Reagents are used in several serological tests, especially focused on red blood cells and platelets. These diagnostic tests are of the highest importance before a blood transfusion (with donor red blood cells or platelets) is given, or to prevent immunisation during pregnancy. The blood grouping reagents can be subdivided into three product lines:
The results of the work at Sanquin Research and Sanquin Diagnostic Services form the base for the development of reagents and kits for diagnostic and research purposes. During the last decade a number of reagents has been successfully introduced on the commercial market. Sanquin Immune Reagents fall into three main categories: human IgG subclass reagents Immunoglobulins are important proteins of our immune system. Immunoglobulin G is the major class of immunoglobulin in blood. Immunoglobulin G, abbreviated as IgG, consists of four subclasses: IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4. IgG subclass reagents are used to measure concentrations of the four IgG subclasses in serum. Deficiencies of one or more of the IgG subclasses are an indication of a disturbed immune system. Several disease states are associated with decreased or elevated levels of (one or more) IgG subclasses. The most conspicuous consequence of a deficiency in one of the IgG subclasses is a defect of the so-called humoral immunity, which is mainly directed against bacteria. Nevertheless, this does not necessarily lead to clinical manifestations. Specific examples of diseases associated with disturbed IgG subclass levels are: bronchiectasis and severe, recurrent stages of otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia and bronchitis. Different methods are used for the quantitative determination of IgG subclasses. Sanquin Reagents manufactures kits and reagents for the most frequently used techniques: Radial Immunodiffusion, ELISA and nephelometry. cytokines and related products Under the trade name Pelikine Sanquin Reagents offers a broad range of (ELISA) kits and reagents for determination of human cytokine levels. Cytokines are a group of hormone-like proteins, produced by a variety of cells of the immune system. They are soluble molecules, which mediate interactions between cells. Cytokines are involved in a large number of important cellular activities: e.g. maturation of blood stem cells, induction of cell proliferation, maintenance of cell viability and regulation of immunity and inflammation. Quantification of cytokines is strongly increasing in many diagnostic and research laboratories. Originally, cytokines could be detected only by their biological activities, but with the highly sensitive immuno assays developed by Sanquin they can be detected directly. New in this range are the PeliSpot kits. ELISPOT is a technique in which cytokines or other proteins, like granzymes, can be demonstrated on a single cell level. The big advantage of this technique is the high sensitivity, resulting in a factor 100 times higher than in other techniques (ELISA). Sanquin Reagents is also the exclusive distributor of the Aelvis reader for Elispot plates. The system consists of a reader (scanner or camera), a computer and specially developed user-friendly software. cell specific monoclonal antibodies and reagents for measuring granzymes The broad range of cell specific monoclonal antibodies and granzymes are the result of Sanquin’s long history of research into human leukocytes. Whereas the development of the first cell specific monoclonal antibodies goes back as far as the early 80s, antibodies against granzymes are the result of current research. These cell specific monoclonal antibodies are specifically directed against typical cell surface structures (antigens), also called ‘CDs’. CDs are cell surface molecules of leukocytes and platelets which can be distinguished from monoclonal antibodies. With these reagents cell populations can be differentiated and different types of leukocytes can be distinguished and isolated from the blood. Granzymes are enzymes (proteinases) which are released from cytotoxic lymphocytes, important cells of the immune system. Granzymes enhance the activity of these cells in their ability to destroy cells, which are infected with virus. Reagents for measuring granzymes are important in both fundamental research in apoptosis and applied clinical research. Sanquin OEM facilities Sanquin Reagents manufactures OEM assays for the largest companies in the diagnostics industry. Sanquin’s view is that large diagnostic companies will avoid investing time and resources in small markets, since the outcome is veiled with uncertainty. Therein lies the opportunity for smaller, private enterprises, the strengths of which definitely include shorter decision-making pathways, withheld autonomy and less competitive pressure. Sanquin’s modern, well-equipped laboratories are staffed with highly qualified scientists experienced in the design of immunoassays. Capabilities include development, bulk formulation, filling, labelling through to complete kit manufacture and quality control. Sanquin Reagents offers high quality immune reagents tailored to customer requirements such as absorption, purification, fragmentation, conjugation and adjustment in concentration. For more information, contact Sanquin Reagents: reagents@sanquin.nl | |