Institute of Aquaculture
Video by Denny Conway, Institute of Aquaculture
Self examination. Video by Denny Conway, Institute of Aquaculture
The Development of a Rapid Blood Analysis method at the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling- The Ideal Omega Test™
In March 2007 the Nutrition Analytical Service (NAS), the commercial arm of the Nutrition Group at the Institute of Aquaculture, began working with Glasgow Health Solutions Limited (GHS) to conduct analyses of fatty acid compositions in human red blood cells (RBC) for GHS customers. GHS were particularly interested in measuring the long-chain Omega 3 fatty acids, which have widely acknowledged benefits for human health. In collaboration with GHS, NAS has developed and validated a rapid fatty acid analysis method using a drop of whole blood. This is collected using a finger lance and can be immobilised and sent in the post for analysis in Stirling (See video).
The advantage of the blood spot method, compared with collecting venous blood from a vein, is the relatively non-invasive nature of the latter. The speed and simplicity of collection is important when vulnerable patients are being studied, in particular young children, patients with neurological problems and the elderly. The methodology was developed and validated by James Dick, Chief Analyst of the Nutrition group supported by Mrs Liz Mackinlay and Irene Younger from NAS. The rapid analysis methodology went live in October 2009 as The Ideal Omega Test™ with a lecture at The University of Stirling and a press release presented by Prof Bill Lands, an eminent lipid biochemist from the USA. The kit is now available and details of the test can be found at http://www.idealomegatest.com/. The analysis of a whole blood sample, which could be easily collected by clinicians or the general public, was a major advance as the time of analysis could be reduced due to improvements and automation of the analytical methods. This increased sample turnover ensured rapid reporting of the results to the customer. The percentage of Omega 3 fatty acids in a blood sample can be readily compared to optimal Omega 3 ratios using the scale bar developed by Prof.Lands. NAS has conducted in excess of 2000 samples since October 2009 for various customers including Pharmaceutical Companies and Clinical Laboratories.
The Nutrition Group are currently involved in analysing blood and tissue samples in a research project supported by the Sporting Chance initiative. This is a collaboration with the Sports Studies Department (Prof Kevin Tipton, Dr Stuart Galloway & Mr Chris McGlory) and Glasgow Health Solutions Ltd, which will investigate the use of Omega-3 supplements in athletes as a means of improving exercise-related recovery times.