We are pleased to announce that we are now offering Xenotropic Murine Leukemia - Related Virus (XMRV) Testing by Real Time PCR. XMRV was recently found to have a strong correlation with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). A recent publication in Science Magazine showed that a high percentage of patients diagnosed with CFS tested positive for XMRV. There is very limited information on the connection between XMRV and CFS but as more patients with CFS are tested, the findings will have more conclusive evidence on the connection between infection with XMRV and CFS. For more information on XMRV and how to get tested click here.
2009-10-30
New Additions to Tick Borne Illeness Real Time PCR Assays
We are pleased to announce the addition of two new assays that we believe would be extremely valuable to clinicians and patients alike. We now offer a new assay that detects a wide range of Babesia species in a Multiplex Real Time PCR reaction. The second assay detects Bartonella species in a Multiplex conventional PCR reaction. Because of the biodiversity of microorganisms in nature, the diversity of sequences and the abundance of single nucleotide polymorphisms, universal assays capable of detecting several species within the same genus simultaneously are essential and can detect a wide range of organisms that would be missed when tested with assays specific for one species. Please contact Dr. Kilani for any questions regarding these assays. We will continue to do all we can to help you attain the most accurate diagnoses for your condition and work with you on your way to recovery.
2008-10-01
Introduction of 20 New PCR Assays
We are pleased to announce the addition of 20 new PCR assays to our test menu. The new assays utilize Real Time PCR, a cutting edge detection technology for detection of low copy numbers of target organisms. As a tick borne disease specialty, we currently offer tests for all tick borne illnesses. Please visit our website for more information on all of our assays at http://clongen.com/molecular_diagnostics.php
or http://clongen.com/Tick_Borne_Illnesses_Panels.php for more information. Please feel free to call us Toll-Free for information or if you have any questions at 877-CLONGEN (256-6436).
2008-07-07
Real Time PCR For Testing Human Pathogens
7-7-2008
Clongen Labs is proud to announce the introduction of Real Time PCR as a testing methodology for Infectious Agents. As a specialty in Infectious Disease Testing with a special emphasis on Tick Borne illnesses, we are now testing tick borne pathogens by Real Time PCR. Real Time PCR is particularly useful when testing whole blood for infectious agents. Since the microbial load in the blood stream (whether the source is a virus, bacteria, yeast, fungus, or parasite) is expected to be low, it is essential to use a method that is capable of detecting the smallest quantities of target DNA. Clongen Labs has the capacity to run hundreds of Real Time PCR assays on their seven Real Time PCR instruments simultaneously. With this cutting edge technology, we are capable of detecting the lowest copy numbers of target pathogens with unsurpassed sensitivity and specificity. The Smart Cycler (Cepheid, Inc. in Sunnyvale, CA) is an industry standard and is known for its superb performance and versatility. The Smart Cycler has the capacity to run 16 different assays (different programs) on the same instrument while detecting four pathogens in each reaction simultaneously. We also use a Stratagene Real Time PCR instrument that is also capable of multiplexing 4 infectious agents simultaneously without compromising sensitivity or specificity. Our laboratory uses 7 Real Time instruments and can accommodate any number of samples in any given day of the week.
Using this cutting edge detection methodology will assist clinicians in making decisions that will benefit patients and eliminate problems caused by infectious agents. Please feel free to contact us if you need any details on assays, sample submission, pricing or any other questions. You can also read more about Real Time PCR here.##
2008-05-04
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Test
Effective Immediately 3/27/2008
We are pleased to announce that Clongen Laboratories is now offering testing for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRSA on both environmental and clinical samples. MRSA is known to cause severe infections that do not respond to traditional antibiotics and there are many cases that suffered tremendously from MRSA infections. MRSA is very common in hospitals, schools, community settings and any area where there is close contact between humans. It is easily transmissible by touching and through fomites.
The assay we offer is based on nucleic acid amplification (Polymerase Chain Reaction - PCR) and Realtime PCR. We also offer the culture assay on selective media that is designed to selectively grown MRSA while inhibiting other bacteria and distinguishing MRSA from other Staphylococcus species based on color development (MRSA colonies are pink while others are colorless or offwhite).
We will be initiating large scale sampling and testing projects in schools, hospitals and other institutions that are interested in finding out the MRSA status of their employees. Please contact Dr. Kilani to inquire about possibilities for on site sample collection or for sampling kits that we will provide to prospective clients.
Clongen Labs is a CLIA certified facility and also licensed by the State of Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Dr. Kilani, the laboratory Director is a seasoned expert in Infectious Diseases and will be available to answer questions by phone (877-CLONGEN) or e-mail at akil@clongen.com ##
2008-04-09
One Tick Three Agents
Effective Immediately. We are pleased to announce that we are now offering tick testing for the three most prevalent tick-borne illnesses, namely: Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, and Bartonellosis. More details will be posted soon.
2008-03-27
MycoAlert - Mycoplasma Testing Service - Same Day Results
Effective Immediately - 3/27/2008
Clongen Labs now offers a new Chemiluminescence-based assay for detection of all Mollicutes (Mycoplasma species) in cell culture material. The assay uses the MycoAlert Kit manufactured by Lonza. The procedure requires media collected from cell culture and can be shipped at room temperature. The medium should be incubated with the cell line to be tested for Mycoplasma contamination for at least 2-3 days. Once received, it is processed same day and results are provided to the client in electronic format by e-mail. We also offer a wide range of Mycoplasma assays. Testing by PCR has been one of our most popular assays. We offer the testing service by PCR with a 1-3 day turnaround time and can identify specific Mycoplasma species using specific primers for certain isolates. Clients can request a panel of Multiplex PCR for Mycoplasma species and the MycoAlert assay if desired.
The cost for the Mycoalert assay is $75 per assay and the PCR assays cost $109 per assay for 1-10 samples in a shipment and $99 per sample if the shipment contains more than 10 samples. Please inquire by phone at 877-CLONGEN or e-mail cs@clongen.com for more information. Click here for more details##
2008-01-20
Clongen in the News - Washington Post
Clongen Laboratories President and Laboratory Director was interviewed by the Washington Post. A summary of the interview was published as a part of a featured magazine story in the Washington Post Sunday Magazine published on 1/20/2008. For more details, click the link below or the magazine cover image:
This article follows a phone conference meeting held by the CDC to discuss more than 1200 inquiries the CDC received from Morgellons patients, Senators and their constituents over the last few years. There is a CDC task force assigned to investigate this disease and limited funding was provided to Kaiser Permanente in Northern California to study the disease epidemiology.
2007-12-27
Toxoplasma gondii PCR Testing Service
We are pleased to announce our latest PCR assay offering. Toxoplasma gondii PCR assay will be available starting on January 7/2008. The assay is highly sensitive and specific and detects a multicopy (35-fold-repetitive) conserved gene in Toxoplasma gondii. More details on sample collection and shipping to the laboratory will be posted on the Molecular Diagnostics Parasitology testing section.
2007-12-23
MycoFind Kit Version 2.0
We are pleased to announce the release of our new MycoFind kit (Mycoplasma species detection kit by Multiplex PCR) version 2.0. The new kit format allows the end user to prepare PCR reactions with complete ease. The kit comes in 12 tube PCR strip format and the tubes contain all PCR ingredients including Taq Polymerase and loading dye. The end user will need to add 10 microliters of template DNA and 40 microliters of molecular biology water and subject the reaction tubes to thermal cycling.
Price: $275 plus $25 shipping (overnight).
Thank you for your business and we look forward to serving you.
2007-08-28
Leishmania donovani PCR Assay Now Available
We are pleased to announce our latest offering: a PCR based assay for the detection of leishmaniasis. The assay is highly specific and sensitive. Please consult with your doctor for the best sample source. For shipping arrangements, pricing and test requirements please contact Dr. Kilani at 877-CLONGEN or e-mail akil@clongen.com
2007-06-26
Blastocystis hominis PCR Detection Kit
Germantown, MD 6/25/2007 Clongen Laboratories release the first commercial kit for detection of Blastocystis hominis by PCR.
The kit, BlastoFind (TM) is based on a primer sequence developed by Dr. Graham Clark's research group. Dr. Clark is a noted researcher in protozoal genetics at the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (view abstract of article).
Pricing for the kit is $300 for 100 reactions, $150 for 50 reactions. Shipping in the USA is $30 for overnight shipping. Please check the "Test Kits" page for details.
The development of this commercial kit was supported and facilitated by the Blastocystis Research Foundation and we would like to thank them for their support.
2007-06-24
Clongen Labs Launch new website
Germantown, MD 6/15/2007 Clongen Laboratories to Launch new website on June 15, 2007.
We are pleased to announce that the new and improved website is up and running. Since inception, the main focus for our company has been client satisfaction. Our steady and rapid growth is very telling of the satisfaction level of our customers with the level of service, technical quality of our scientific work and professionalism in all of our dealings.
We appeciate your patience while browsing the new site. There may be missing information in some of the pages and encourage you to contact us with any questions or comments at webmaster@clongen.com or (oll free 877-CLONGEN (256-6436).
A big thanks to all of our loyal clients and we look forward to continuing to serve your business needs.
2007-06-16
Clongen Labs Release new PCR Detection Kits for Infectious
Clongen Labs have established a strong position in the molecular diagnostics market for human, veterinary and research applications. We are pleased to announce the release of new PCR detection kits. Please visit the "Test Kits" page on our website. You can order online, by fax or phone.
