A recent PhD collaboration between SAQ, The Core Genetics department of the Natural History Museum and the University of West London School of Biosciences, allows SAQ unique ability in sampling and meta-genomic analysis of the entire air biome.
We can now identify fungi, yeasts, bacteria and viruses to DNA level, what airborne presence there is of those particularly dangerous antibiotic resistant strains and, importantly, what can be done to reduce the associated risks. This service has just become focused on the Covid 19 but SAQ advise a holistic scientific approach to all pathogenic biota
We are currently preparing packages for this most advanced of environmental testing – the sampling and metagenomic analysis is complex and time consuming but the results are definitive. This area of bioscience is absolutely brand new and we have a limited opportunity to provide 160 of these surveys over the coming year.
The project is headed by Dr Hermine Mkrtchyan, whose pioneering research at the University of East London into reservoirs of resistant bacteria in public areas amongst other specialist taxonomic and metagenomic academic research in public areas, is now, by working with SAQ to extend the research to private environments such as homes and offices that were previously inaccessible to the researchers or indeed as a resource for public health policy and the ambitions outlined in the UKs five year national action plan in Tackling antimicrobial resistance 2019-2024.
Dr Raju Misra, Head of Molecular Biology at the Natural History Museum, has unparalleled ability in this area of health science, with published research ranging from The Neonatal Microbiota, Biofilm formation and The Parallel Evolution in Streptococcus pneumoniae to Dissecting the Heterogeneity within Propionibacterium acnes.
Get involved
This is part of an SAQ self-funded PhD project and collaboration. We, at SAQ, are tasked with balancing the array of environments tested and have prepared subsections with total booking capacities. We will update the site regularly with how many are still available for each sector – If you are interested in getting more information on the project or the service, would you please fill in the contact form and we will get straight back to you.
Sectors Covered
- Educational facilities (20)
- Commercial environments (40)
- Medical environments (20)
- Residential accommodation (40)
- Entertainment facilities (10)
- Transport and travel (10)
- Health facilities (20)
What is participating in the survey and project going to do for you or your company?
Are you, your family, friends, guests, employees and colleagues being exposed to the new corona virus or antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria?
Previously, it was impossible to tell what potentially serious health risks are associated with what environments, the distribution of viruses, even resistant yeasts and fungi..?
If you are a health care provider or advisor, an environmental scientist or even know your stuff about disease transmission and air quality, then after as much internet searching as can be mustered, you will become aware that this level of health science and service provision is currently unsurpassed. When coupled with the indoor air quality dynamic modelling and monitoring experience of SAQ, our new and collaborative ability in taxonomic and metagenomic analysis, makes us uniquely qualified and capable, certainly in the UK and potentially globally.
Final reminder that these surveys are limited, reserved and booked in on a first come first served basis.
