Currently there are two publications using the new LifeScale instrument. There are also several papers related to LifeScale's core technology authored by Scott Manalis at MIT.

No. The LifeScale instrument uses a resonant mass technique to simultaneously count and measure the mass of individual microbes as they pass through the sensor. You can find more information on the LifeScale's resonant mass technology here.

Samples are prepared by simply diluting an inoculum to a starting concentration of 10⁵ - 10⁶ microbes per milliliter. If samples are derived from plates then simply isolate a 3-5 colonies and passage to broth before diluting.

The current LifeScale instrument is targeted at the research market and as such does not require FDA approval. An instrument designed for clinical environments is currently under development and is expected to be available late 2017. For more information please contact Affinity Biosensors directly.

LifeScale for Research can be handle samples in two formats.  It is possible to use 16 x 1.5ml in which a customized selection of antibiotics, or antibiotic combinations, can be used and their effect on microbes studied.  It is also possible to use a 96-well plate format.

LifeScale has been applied to positive blood samples in a collaboration with UCLA. The sample was prepared by spinning to remove red blood cells and subsequently diluting to yield a starting concentration of 10⁵ - 10⁶ microbes per milliliter with Mueller-Hinton broth. The resulting samples were then processed as per the reference method...only faster.

Yes.

Yes. Obviously the instrument doesn't know about the mechanism of resistance, it simply counts and measures the mass of individual microbes present after treatment with a given antibiotic or antibiotic combination.

Not at this time.

Yes. Obviously the instrument doesn't know about the mechanism of resistance, it simply counts and measures the mass of individual microbes present after treatment with a given antibiotic or antibiotic combination.