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UK Health Security Agency

Virus LENTICULE® Discs

Microbiological reference material for internal quality control

In collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) Food Environment and Proficiency Testing Unit (FEPTU), we provide virus-based microbiological reference materials in the form of LENTICULE® Discs. These are designed to support internal quality control in microbiological testing.

 

Virus Name

Catalogue number  

Genome copies per LENTICULE disc range

Norovirus GI 

RMNOROG1

6.8x104 – 2.0x105

Norovirus GII

RMNOROG2

1.9x105 – 3.5x105

Hepatitis A virus (HAV)

RM000HAV

3.8x104 – 1.1x105

 

About LENTICULE® Discs 

LENTICULE® Discs are water-soluble solid matrices containing defined concentrations of virus. They offer long-term stability (minimum one year from manufacture), ease of use, and compatibility with a wide range of testing applications.

 

Storage Requirements: 

  • Store at -20°C ± 5°C 

  • Short periods at ambient temperature (e.g. during shipping) does not affect stability 

  • Supplied with a minimum of three months' shelf life from date of purchase 

Each pack contains 10 discs from a single batch and includes simple instructions for use. 

 

Applications 

LENTICULE® Discs can be used for: 

  • Positive extraction controls in quantitative molecular assays, such as real-time RT-PCR 

  • Calibration and validation of test methods 

  • Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis 

  • Research studies, training, and education programmes

 

Key Features

  • Available with defined concentrations of Norovirus GI, Norovirus GII or Hepatitis A virus 

  • Proven long-term stability and batch homogeneity 

  • Fully quality controlled by FEPTU throughout the production process

  • Supplied with a Certificate of Analysis providing reference values 

 

Benefits 

  • No dilution step required – ready to use 

  • One-step process – reduces risk of handling errors 

  • Quantitative values expressed as genome copies per disc – supports traceability, repeatability and reproducibility 

Safety and documentation 

The following supporting documents available: 

  

Import Permits

Import permits may be required for delivery to certain countries: 

  • United States of America (USA): CDC import permit required 

  • Canada: Import permit from Health Canada required 

 

Intellectual property

LENTICULE® is a trademark of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The production method and disc formulation are protected under International Patent Application WO 01/05941.