Thai lab to produce low-cost microtube gel test for hospitals

Singapore, Oct 13, 2008: Thailand’s National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) provided a research grant to Khon Kaen University in Thailand to research and develop Thailand’s first effective low-cost microtube gel test, BB Gel Test for local hospital use. The commercial licensing agreement was signed with Innov (Thailand) Limited on October 7, 2008.

“The decision to provide the research grant to Khon Kaen University is because the project meets all the criteria for a community impact initiated project” said Dr Kanyawim Kirtikara, Director of BIOTEC. Associate Prof Amornrat Rompruek, a researcher and Project Team Leader at Khon Kaen University said the need to initiate this project stems from the fact that Thai hospitals have to import microtube gel test worth $57,000 for every 100,000 blood samplings. This is a considerable amount of money for hospitals.

BB Gel Test work on the principle of controlled centrifugation of red blood cells through a dextran-acrylamide-gel. The advantage of the gel microtubes is that it is accurate and the results can be saved for later supervisory or peer review. The most important aspects of BB Gel Test is that it is effective and economical available for hospitals in developing countries.