Page 8 - Microbiology and Life Science News

Microplastics are everywhere – in the air we breathe, in our oceans and soils, and in the water (and beer!) we drink.¹ These small plastic particles (<5mm in size) are the topic of a growing body of research that seeks to quantify the problem and impact of their prevalence. Despite the fact that plastic is the most prevalent type of debris found in the ocean and in the air, not much is currently known about how the presence of these particles will impact human and environmental health.² The primary concerns lie in the potential for these microplastics to accumulate in organisms, cause obstruction and inflammation, and in their ability to serve as a carrier for heavy metals, pathogens, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA^3.4.

Watch the video below for a quick overview of the microplastics problem in our oceans:

There are myriad sources of microplastics that end up in the environment, including:

• Car and truck tire pieces
• Clothing fibers (shed during from machine washing)
• Cosmetics

A significant amount of resources have been allocated each year to the research and development (R&D) of membrane filtration technology. However, it remains unclear how closely research goals align with solving industry needs. Our Product Manager, Sepideh Jankhah, examines the history and evolution of membrane filtration technology applications and investigates R&D trends in this area based on peer-reviewed literature¹.

Membrane filtration technology: who sets the tone for the future? 

Our research indicates that research goals (as represented by the number of published peer reviewed literature) have closely followed industry demands for the last decade. Industry has benefited from the developments achieved by research initiatives, and the observed positive correlation between industry and R&D goals is expected to continue as we face new challenges. This symbiosis should result in more efficient processes and new products or applications that will address the shortcoming of current

February is here, and for many research teams across the world, that means it’s time to set sail. Shoulder seasons are an important time to conduct marine research because many algal and microbial species are in bloom. Whether your research has you voyaging the open sea or cruising in coastal waters, Sterlitech is here to stock the ship with all your laboratory filtration needs.

We are proud to have our membrane filters take part in the adventure. Our customers utilize silver, glass fiber, and polycarbonate track etch (PCTE) membrane filters in aquatic research.^{1, 2, 3} These filters travel the seven seas, treating collected sea water samples for retention and analyses of algae, microorganisms, and microscopic particles.^{1, 4}

Track etch polycarbonate membrane filters are particularly well-suited for these applications because they are translucent and have a smooth, flat surface. These features allow for easy microscopic observation, as well as recovery of aquatic microorganisms and

Numerous industries have a necessity to keep things clean and sanitary. Filters are an efficient and cost effective way to keep dirt, dust, bacteria, viruses and other small particulates out. The variety of applications are endless, and hundreds of product manufacturers employ filtration to keep things clean: from medication, to automobiles, to even your home.

Within the life sciences, it is often critical for researchers to keep the growth environments of key cells sterile for production of significant compounds. Contamination could mean the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of product. At university labs, cell biologists and clinical researchers alike utilize small vent filters and devices to keep their cell growth devices and growth media free of any bacteria or molds that could damage their cell lines in their ongoing research. Sterlitech offers standard syringe-filter type vents, custom syringe filter vents, and custom adhesive-backed vent discs in a variety of sizes

In 2015, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed off on new legislation to finalize the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which requires food and beverage manufacturers to be more proactive to minimizing food-borne contamination from microorganisms. The FDA now places more effort on the individual companies to test food products according to the new guidelines in various parts of the production process. These processes can be ideal places to draw fluid samples for bacterial capture and subsequent analysis. The use of membrane filters to evaluate bioburden in these types of liquids is the standard means of recovering and quantifying potentially harmful microorganisms. Does this sound like it makes for more work for the food processors in our communities? It might, but Sterlitech Corporation can help!

According to the new regulations, high-risk food producers will be inspected more frequently, will have to maintain more detailed records, and establish clear food safety plans.

Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) are a species of parasitic roundworms that primarily infect dogs, but can also infect cats, wild canids, and, in rare cases, even humans. They are found in every state in the country and spread from one host to the next through mosquito bites, which deposit larval heartworms into the new host when they feed.  Since their lifecycle depends on mosquitos, infection rates are on the rise as human activities, such as irrigation and urban development, create new habitats suitable for mosquitos. Heartworm infections develop slowly, with symptoms often presenting themselves only months past since the initial transmission.

The first symptoms are innocuous enough, just a slight cough. As the worms grow and lodge themselves in the arteries leading into the heart and lungs, the coughing becomes worse and persistent.  The dog will exhibit difficulty breathing and a reluctance to exercise, which gets worse as time goes on. Eventually, a severe infection of heartworms

(Updated Feb, 2017) If you were to casually browse through Sterlitech's website, you may find that we have an incredible range of filter options. The casual browser may certainly find themselves overwhelmed looking for the right filter for their application. One of the most important aspects of filter selection is pore size, which determines the size of largest particles that can pass through the filter. Pore sizes are usually placed in one of two categories: nominal or absolute. So what's the difference? Nominal pore sizes A nominal pore size rating refers to a filter capable of preventing passage of a minimum percentage (usually between 60% and 90%)of solid particles of greater than the stated pore size, which is normally expressed in micrometers or microns. Conditions during filtration, such as operating pressure, shape of the particles and the concentration of particles, have a significant effect on the retention of the filters.  Sterlitech's glass and quartz fiber filters have nominal

Schistosomiasis is one of the most widespread diseases in the world, with an estimated 200 million people infected across the world. It is a chronic and debilitating disease caused by parasitic worms called schistosomes. The World Health Organization wants to have Schistosomiasis under control by 2020 and one of Sterlitech's customers, the Natural History Museum in London, is tackling the disease head on. The Natural History Museum, in partnership with other organizations including the Zanzibar Ministry of Health, is helping with the WHO's initiative with a special project called the Zanzibar Elimination of Schistosomiasis Transmission (ZEST). ZEST's goal is to reduce the number of new cases of schistosomiasis using a three-pronged approach to eliminate the worms that cause the disease:

• Treatment of infected people to kill the adult schistosome worms.
• Controlling the population of snails that host the parasite
• Preventing the eggs from entering the water supply by changing people's behavior.