Microtest Laboratories Hosts Students During 2nd Annual Statewide Biotechnology Job Shadow Day

AGAWAM, MASS. -- Microtest Laboratories opened its doors — and labs — to 12 high school students during the 2nd Annual Statewide Biotechnology Job Shadow Day on June 8.

Sponsored by MassBio and MassBioEd, the program allows local high school students "to explore life science career options by shadowing biotechnology professionals to experience the very real connection between classroom science and the science that drives the state's biotechnology industry."

At Microtest Laboratories, the students learned of the company's history, listened to stories from current employees regarding what brought them into the field, and toured and viewed the work underway in the company's testing labs. The day allowed the students to meet actual professionals at work in the field, ask questions, and network with individuals who will hopefully someday be their colleagues.

"At Microtest, we're big believers in the power and potential of education and science," said Steven Richter, Ph.D., Microtest Labs president and chief scientific officer. "We participated last year, in the inaugural Job Shadow Day, and are involved year-round in a number of local and regional workforce training partnerships with other companies, governments, schools, and colleges."

"Programs such as Job Shadow Day that support local science and technical education are critical to helping students turn their classroom curiosity in science into meaningful, fulfilling, lifelong careers," he said.

"Workforce development programs have a direct impact on the future — in terms of personal careers, new jobs and economic growth, and the discovery of breakthrough products and services that will better everyone's health and quality of life. Job Shadow Day is an all-around win for everyone," Richter said.

The 2nd Annual Statewide Biotechnology Job Shadow Day was sponsored by the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd) and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio). Statewide, 650 students from 18 Massachusetts public high schools participated in the program at 18 biotechnology companies.

About Microtest Laboratories

Microtest is a leader in testing services and contract manufacturing for the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries. The company is based in Agawam, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Microtest's expertise and flexible processes enhance product safety and security, reduce time to market, and minimize supply chain disruption. For more information, visit http://www.microtestlabs.com or call 1-413-786-1680 or toll-free 1-800-631-1680. Follow Microtest Labs on Twitter @MicrotestLabs at http://twitter.com/MicrotestLabs.

Microtest Laboratories Announces New Fast-Track Toxicity Testing for Medical Devices Using Zebrafish Embryos

AGAWAM, MASS. — July 6, 2011 — Microtest Laboratories has announced a new fast-track test to screen plastics and polymers in medical devices for toxicity using Zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio), a technique already widely utilized in drug development studies.

"Testing has revealed that Zebrafish embryos are highly susceptible to toxins. In fact, Zebrafish labs are ubiquitous in most universities and research hospitals," said Steven Richter, Ph.D., president and scientific director of Microtest Laboratories, and former U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) official.

"We've confirmed the application of Zebrafish embryos in the toxicity testing of materials used in medical devices," Dr. Richter said. "With our in-vitro test, manufacturers and bio materials researchers can screen thousands of polymers in less than a week — yielding significant economic savings in both the time and expense of medical device testing."

In its research, Microtest Laboratories found that the current "gold standard" USP Cytotoxicity Assay, which utilizes live mouse fibroblasts (L929) cells in culture, failed to detect the toxicity of a BPA extract during testing — while Microtest's new Zebrafish embryo screen succeeded.

BPA (bis-phenol A) is a suspected toxic polymer assumed as having both carcinogenic and teratogenic effects on humans. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has indicated that BPA will be slated for screening soon.

"Microtest’s new Zebrafish embryo assay has better sensitivity and generates more scientific data than the small animal tests currently recommended by the FDA," Dr. Richter said.

"The use of Zebrafish embryos will reduce or eliminate the current animal testing required for all medical devices testing. This important vertebrate model has demonstrated similarities to mammalian models and humans in toxicity testing,” he noted.

Microtest Laboratories' new Zebrafish embryo assay for the toxicity testing of medical devices is immediately available. For more information, visit http://www.microtestlabs.com/zebrafish-embryos-testing or call 1-413-786-1680 or toll-free 1-800-631-1680

About Microtest Laboratories

Microtest Laboratories is a leader in medical device testing and related services for the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries. Based in Agawam, Massachusetts, U.S.A., the company provides expertise and flexible processes that enhance product safety and security, accelerate time to market, and minimize supply chain disruption. For more information, visit http://www.microtestlabs.com or call 1-413-786-1680 or toll-free 1-800-631-1680. Follow Microtest Laboratories on Twitter @MicrotestLabs at http://twitter.com/MicrotestLabs.

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Press Contact: Don Goncalves, Tiziani Whitmyre, 781-793-9380, dgoncalves@tizinc.com

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