Microsens has constructed a reference laboratory for prion protein detection based on EU approved kits. The testing kits in use in the Microsens laboratories have been evaluated by the EU; see European Commission report, July 1999 "The Evaluation Of Tests For The Diagnosis of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy in Bovines. "

Microsens has established a supply chain for positive and negative samples from the brains of healthy and diseased sheep and cattle. These materials provide an important reference to confirm the correct operation of the kits.

The diagnostic tests for prion protein are carried out by trained Microsens personnel in a dedicated category 3 facility. This is an important safety requirement when using samples that may contain infectious abnormal prion proteins (PrPres).

Microsens is operating a high sensitivity procedure using the Seprion ligand coated onto magnetic microparticles. This also permits larger volumes of sample to be tested directly for the presence of the abnormal form of the prion protein.

Microsens is currently offering a confidential Prion Protein Test service to companies who require quality assurance tests to be carried out on their products. Microsens is able to carry out tests on many product types including proteins, enzymes, cells and serum/plasma preparations.