Hill Labs founder, Dr Roger Hill, recognised that innovation thrives when rooted in a solid foundation of technical expertise. Hill Labs has developed a wide range of pioneering PCR testing services, spanning food safety, public health, and agriculture sectors. This innovation has been propelled by our technical capability and customer-centric approach.
Rapid Next Day Food Pathogen PCR Testing Services
In the context of food safety, rapid and accurate detection of bacterial pathogens is paramount. Traditionally, identifying pathogens including Listeria, Salmonella, and Cronobacter relied on labour-intensive methods that take several days to yield results. In 2014, Hill Labs was an industry leader in the development of rapid PCR-based methods to expedite results for their clients.
Since the inception of our rapid pathogen PCR testing methods 10 years ago, these services continue to deliver next-day results, enabling our clients to respond timeously and decisively to pathogen outbreaks. With thousands of different food matrices tested, Hill Labs' PCR tests consistently demonstrate exceptional performance. For example, the Listeria PCR test has identified previously unrecognised species of Listeria in New Zealand, underscoring the remarkable specificity and effectiveness of the PCR technology developed by Hill Labs.
Supporting New Zealand’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Hill Labs quickly utilised its available technical expertise, equipment and laboratory facilities to validate SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing for both saliva and nasopharyngeal swabs. Initially targeting the aged care sector, these PCR tests supported one of our most vulnerable populations. These services then expanded to encompass the broader public health response across New Zealand. We were proud to be one of only a few commercial labs to offer saliva based SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing services and contribute to the New Zealand wide response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Producing More with Less - New 3 in 1 Swab Testing
Hill Labs’ PCR services continue to evolve and diversify. We are thrilled to now offer the latest innovation in PCR testing services, promising to streamline environmental monitoring programs. With the convenience of a single swab, our clients can now request tests for the detection of Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella and Cronobacter. This advancement dramatically minimises the time and effort required for environmental monitoring, freeing up precious staff resources and reducing the amount of single use plastic required for testing.
