Embracing new practical techniques in pharmaceutical research

Crossing over from the food industry comes a blending technology synonymous with that industry sector. Similar criteria apply in food microbiology as in pharmaceutical research whereby homogenizing and blending samples must be handled aseptically and be contained to prevent cross contamination or aerosol production.

Stomacher^® from Seward Ltd operates by the action of flat metal paddles on the outside of a sterile plastic bag containing the sample. Such machines have long been used in the food industry to prepare samples but are also used in pharmaceutical development. Tissue samples of a wide range of consistencies from lung to kidney can be processed for applications such as microbiology, toxicology and drug metabolism investigations.

Stomachers are used to extract analytes of interest from biological samples. In toxicology, this could include extracting toxins, metabolites, or biomarkers from tissues or bodily fluids to assess exposure levels or toxic effects.

In the realm of pharmaceutical research, the pursuit of innovation is essential for advancing patient care and meeting regulatory standards. By reducing manual handling and variability in sample preparation, this technology enhances the consistency and reproducibility of experimental results. Such improvements are crucial in maintaining high standards throughout the drug development process.

Beyond microbiological analysis, the Stomacher’s versatility extends to various research applications. It facilitates the extraction of active pharmaceutical ingredients from complex matrices, simplifying sample preparation for analytical testing. Stomachers are used to extract analytes of interest from a variety of biological samples. In toxicology, this could include extracting toxins, metabolites, or biomarkers from tissues or bodily fluids to assess exposure levels or toxic effects. Forensic analysis of tissue extracts can be vital in determining cause of death.

Stomacher^® continues to be a part of on-going research in combatting COVID-19. It was used to determine the effectiveness of drug delivery of steroids to lung tissue to combat the symptoms of the virus. Determination of viral load has also been an application in a variety of areas giving insights into disease progression and intervention. Beyond clinical diagnostics, the Stomacher® technology also contributes to environmental surveillance efforts related to COVID-19. It facilitates the processing of environmental samples such as wastewater and surface swabs, enabling researchers to monitor viral presence and track outbreaks.

The Stomacher^® blending process maximizes the recovery of viable single cell suspensions. These cells have been proven to be quicker to attach to tissue culture bottles and grow to confluence faster and more consistently than suspensions made using other techniques such as rotating blade blenders. This ability has proven to be of special interest to those working in the fields of cancer research.

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The content for this guest editorial was provided by the team at Seward Ltd.