Associates of Cape Cod, Inc.

Celebrating 35 Years of
Testing Excellence

Bacterial Endotoxin Testing (BET) Workshop

Associates of Cape Cod offers training courses on all aspects of endotoxin testing. Courses are conducted at our facility on Cape Cod as well as other locations throughout the United States and Canada. In order to achieve the level of training that you require, you may choose from several courses. We offer background and in-depth courses, as well as hands-on laboratory experience.

Download 2013 BET Workshop Registration pdf Form.

LAL Methodology and Background

This course is designed to introduce LAL methodologies to technicians who are new to LAL testing. Topics include:

Endotoxins—What they are, where they come from, and why they are important.
LAL—What is it? How did horseshoe crab blood end up as a QC release test?
Biochemistry—An overview of the LAL/endotoxin reaction, with emphasis on sources of interference.
Detailed demonstration of the test methods including a discussion of laboratory set-up, materials, and aseptic techniques.
Specimen handling and preparation for test.
Practical approaches to specimen characterization.
Technician and laboratory certifications and protocols for validation of the LAL test.

In-Depth Topics

This course is designed to provide the experienced technician with a more detailed understanding of how an LAL testing program can be applied to quality assurance.

Topics include:

(1→3)-ß-D-Glucan issues; contamination, recognition, and investigation
Microbial control of water systems and monitoring with LAL.
Depyrogenation by physical and chemical means and oven depyrogenation validation.
Techniques to test non-aqueous or highly interfering substances.
Medical device sample preparation and validation of extraction protocols.
Regulatory considerations and documentation.

Hands-On Laboratories

Laboratory courses are designed to enable the attendee to have hands-on experience conducting LAL tests. Participants will practice setting up tests and will learn to read and interpret results. Completion of the LAL Methodology Background course is strongly recommended before taking either laboratory course. Familiarity with general laboratory techniques is very useful.

Laboratory courses will be either on gel-clot or the photometric (turbidimetric and chromogenic) methods.

Hemodialysis Specialty Topics

This is an introductory level course specifically for technicians who are testing water and hemodialysis solutions in hemodialysis facilities or hospital clinical laboratories.

Topics are the same as the LAL Methodology Background topic course but are focused on the hemodialysis application. Attendees will obtain hands-on laboratory experience in this course.

Instructors

Our course instructors are experienced professionals with expertise in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, biochemical engineering, physiology, zoology, microbiology and immunology. They have over 55 years of combined experience in LAL methodology. With a hands-on, enthusiastic approach to teaching, participants are sure to increase their knowledge in all aspects of LAL testing methodologies.

For more information, contact Marketing at marketing@acciusa.com.