Synbiosis Ames software for ProtoCOL 3 colony counter

Synbiosis has introduced its next-generation Ames software module featuring a time-saving mutagenicity ratio calculation function. Designed for integrated use with the ProtoCOL 3 colony counter, the software facilitates rapid production of consistent count and ratio data from Ames test plates and is suitable for use in regulated toxicology testing laboratories.

The software enables ProtoCOL 3 to quickly count Salmonella typhimurium or E. coli colonies cultured on, for example, Vogel-Bonner medium before and after exposure to potentially toxic or non-toxic control compounds. The software can then automatically compare the different colony counts to generate a mutagenicity ratio, providing a quick guide to the mutagenic potential of a test chemical. This saves microbiologists time and effort with transferring count data to statistical software or manually calculating the ratio. It means ratio results are objective as they are not dependent on the scientist performing the tasks.

As well as numerical data, the software also produces full-colour images of test plates which can be stored in a secure SQL database for reference and another count, if required. Count and ratio data can be automatically downloaded to a spreadsheet or LIMS, thus eliminating data transfer errors, to generate reproducible, traceable results that are consistent from one microbiologist to another.

Featuring user access levels and a full audit trail with user login and logout records, the software is GLP compliant and can be used in a 21 CFR Part 11 environment. The archived results are suitable for generating high-quality reports for audit by regulatory authorities, making the software appropriate for use in pharmaceutical toxicology testing and other regulated microbiology laboratories.