Folium Science Receive a Refurbished Whitley Workstation

We are delighted to report that at a recent visit to Folium Science in Bristol, we had the pleasure of installing a refurbished Whitley Workstation. Folium Science is working on promoting sustainable agriculture and ensuring safer food production with a focus on Campylobacter. Continue reading to hear more about their work and why they chose a Whitley Workstation.

We asked Folium Science to share more details of their work. Dr Karima Djacem, Lead Scientist, explained:

“Campylobacter is a significant health challenge as it is a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, often transmitted through contaminated food and water. Its infection can lead to severe and sometimes, long-term health issues, including Guillain-Barré syndrome. The pathogen's resistance to antibiotics further complicates treatment and control efforts, posing a threat to both human and animal health.

At Folium Science, we have been awarded a grant through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Farming Innovation Programme (FIP), delivered by Innovate UK. This will allow us to use our technology to sustainably address a major One Health challenge and zoonotic disease, namely Campylobacter, with the aim to boost environmental resilience.

We have developed CRISPR/Cas-based solutions for the food and feed industry for precise bacterial control and the focus with this project will be the development of a pre-commercial CRISPR-Cas system for the control of Campylobacter in the poultry industry.”

Why Don Whitley Scientific?

“The Whitley Workstation offers a range of benefits that contribute to the safety, efficiency, and success of a research project targeting a fastidious bacterium such as Campylobacter. These advantages are critical for meeting the goals and expectations of a grant-funded project.

After discussing our needs with Don Whitley Scientific representative, Paul Harrison, and recognizing that our primary focus was on Campylobacter, we decided to adapt a refurbished Whitley Workstation. This cabinet was set up to maintain the necessary atmospheric conditions, 5% oxygen and 10% carbon dioxide, essential for the growth and study of Campylobacter, a microaerophilic organism. This decision allowed us to access a high-quality cabinet on a limited budget, which was crucial for our funded project within a start-up company. Additionally, the Whitley Workstation provides precise control over temperature and humidity, maintaining optimal conditions of 42°C and appropriate moisture levels, which are critical for culturing Campylobacter and obtaining reproducible results. For example, experiments in our lab aimed at assessing the reduction of Campylobacter showed results in just 24 to 48 hours using the Whitley Workstation, compared to 8 days when using atmospheric generation sachet systems in a sealed jar.

Don Whitley Scientific was the only company that understood our needs and offered a cabinet tailored to our requirements and budget. As a UK-based start-up, collaborating with another UK company made communication seamless and support readily accessible. They provided excellent customer service and training, and worked closely with us to ensure the system was installed safely in our lab.”

If you require any further information about the Whitley Workstation range, please see the products below or contact us at sales@dwscientific.co.uk

Alternatively, if you are interested in our refurbished equipment, please see the Second Hand Products on our website.