Track pipette’s calibration with the unique RFID tag

Transform your workflow with Rainin’s Pipet-Lite XLS family of pipettes, the first to be equipped with RFID tags. In seconds, everything you want to know about a pipette can be displayed on a PC screen. With its speed and ease, Rainin’s RFID solution to better asset management will complement your workflow and instill confidence in your lab’s compliance with SOPs and Regulatory Agencies. You can easily maintain data on pipette calibration, service data, user and application.

The RFID tag (Radio Frequency Identification) incorporated in the pipette transfers data through the Rainin RFID reader to and from the LabX Direct Pipette-Scan software, You can create custom profiles for each pipette, integrate your LabX data with third-party asset- and calibration-management applications and export easily as Microsoft Excel, Word or text files.
The RFID calibration tracking adds a new dimension to the high quality, accurate and precise plus extremely ergonomic range of RAININ Pipet-Lite pipettes.

Anachem Ltd

GE Healthcare appoints Kieran Murphy as Life Sciences CEO

GE Healthcare announced today that on 1st April 2011, Kieran Murphy will be promoted to succeed current Life Sciences President and CEO Peter Ehrenheim who will retire from GE after a transition period on July 31 2011. Kieran is currently GE Healthcare’s Head of Global Commercial Operations, Life Sciences.

Brain function linked to birth size in groundbreaking new study

Scientists have discovered the first evidence linking brain function variations between the left and right sides of the brain to size at birth and the weight of the placenta. The finding could shed new light on the causes of mental health problems in later life.

The research, conducted at the UK's University of Southampton and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit at Southampton General Hospital, reveals that children who were born small, with relatively large placentas, showed more activity on the right side of their brains than the left. It is this pattern of brain activity that has been linked with mood disorders such as depression.

The study adds to a growing body of evidence showing that adverse environments experienced by fetuses during pregnancy (indicated by smaller birth size and larger placental size) can cause long-term changes in the function of the brain.

Online process refractometer supplement laboratory analysis

The process refractometer of the PMD700 series enables precise monitoring
of the concentration in real time with an accuracy of up to 0.2g/l

When it comes to determining the concentration, identity or purity of substances rapidly, reliably and accurately, refractometry is the ideal method. This is where online process analyzers are especially useful as they supplement laboratory analysis. Process analyzers deliver results within fractions of a second, which enables processes to be monitored in real time and controlled automatically.

Sartorius has introduced the PMD700 series of online refractometers for process analysis and control of liquid and paste-like process streams. The PMD700 series features an accuracy of 0.02 Brix or 0.2g/l (eg, sugar solutions) and is thus ideal for precise monitoring and control of the concentration in process streams. This includes monitoring and control of the dissolution of substances, reduction of solutions, dilution of concentrates and determination of dry mass. Moreover, the online analyzer excels in monitoring and controlling crystallization, checking and controlling the correct mixture of various compounds, and in determining the sugar concentration in different matrices. Moreover, the PMD700 is also used, for instance, to monitor concentrations in evaporation procedures, such as before spray drying in the production of instant coffee and tee, or to determine the segments between different liquids in filling applications, such as filling juices in tanks. Another special feature to keep in mind: Calibration with the existing reference method results in consistent traceability within the scope of monitoring and control of inspection, measuring and test equipment.

BioTek appoints new applications and business development manager in Canada

BioTek Instruments Inc appointed Dr Charles Amirmansour to the company as Canadian Applications & Business Development Manager. Dr Amirmansour is responsible for supporting BioTek's technical and new business activities with Fisher Scientific Canada.

"Dr Amirmansour has a unique set of skills, creating cutting-edge business development programs, with an extensive background in life science and drug discovery applications," said Gary Barush, BioTek's Director of Marketing & Sales. "Additionally, his strong academic background will resonate with our research-based microplate technologies."

Prior to joining BioTek, Dr Amirmansour held various positions at PerkinElmer Inc, most recently as Product Line Leader and Sr Technology Specialist. Following the receipt of his doctorate in clinical pharmacology, Dr Amirmansour worked as a post-doctoral research fellow at The William Harvey Research Institute, National Heart & Lung Institute and Harefield Heart Science Centre under the supervision of Nobel Laureates, Professors Sir John Vane and Sir Magdy Yacoub.

BioTek Instruments Inc

Software for multicapillary gel electrophoresis systems

QIAGEN’s ScreenGel software enables the convenient DNA fragment and RNA analysis with the QIAxcel multicapillary gel electrophoresis systems. It combines the highest possible flexibility for researchers with the ability for standardized and reproducible operations in routine labs. ScreenGel allows easy performance, interpretation and customized documentation of electrophoresis analysis with an intuitive user interface. The software also supports electronic record requirements specified under 21 CFR part 11, and enables standardized sample processing with process templates as well as secure user management with a variety of access levels.

The software is launched together with the new QIAxcel Advanced system which comes with improved hardware features and a new look and feel. The system enables effortless automated electrophoresis, which replaces traditional labor-intensive gel analysis of DNA and RNA, streamlines the workflow and significantly reduces time to result.

QIAGEN

Scientists’ discovery already saving patients’ lives

Patients in the UK with a hereditary immune disorder are benefiting from life-saving treatment, thanks to the work of scientists at Newcastle University. The researchers are among the first in the world to identify the rare syndrome, which devastates the immune system and can lead to hereditary leukaemia and lung disease.

A study of patients in Newcastle, funded by the blood cancer charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Wellcome Trust, identified four individuals with what the Newcastle scientists have labeled ‘DCML deficiency syndrome’. The determining feature of the syndrome is that the patients have almost no ‘dendritic cells’ or ‘monocytes’ – vital cells of the immune system which originate in the bone marrow and help to fight infection.

New substance abuse testing laboratory opens

Trimega Laboratories, the substance abuse testing company, has opened a new lab in Manchester, UK, which will assist the government with its forensic toxicology workload in the wake of the closure of the Forensic Science Service (FSS).

Trimega Laboratories has invested £1 million in the state-of-the-art, 1,900 square-foot laboratory, which is located in the Hexagon Tower in Manchester.

The impact of the FSS’ closure was highlighted this month when it was revealed that the police had been told to refrigerate samples from drink driving suspects due to a lack of resources to process them.

AnaSpec signs distribution Agreement with Gene X Press

AnaSpec, Eurogentec Group and Gene X Press have announced a non-exclusive distributor agreement that will allow Gene X Press to distribute AnaSpec’s catalog and custom products throughout Chile.

AnaSpec’s Director of Sales & Marketing, Violeta Jordan, said: “AnaSpec is pleased to partner with Gene X Press to expand the availability of AnaSpec’s integrated proteomics and genomics solutions to researchers and our growing customer base in Chile.”

AnaSpec, Eurogentec Group

Lab software manages contacts and customers

Labtronics Inc has announce the released of Nexxis iLAB 5.05 with new added functionality for managing a wide range of contacts including customers and suppliers.

The new Nexxis iLAB includes a Contact Manager that lets you configure any number of lists of contacts. These lists can be for internal personnel, internal customers, external customers and even suppliers. The design is fully configurable so that any information can be collected for the contact list and Nexxis iLAB supports any number of contact lists.

Society of Toxicology 50th anniversary meeting

Experts from LabLogic Systems will be at the Society of Toxicology’s 50th anniversary meeting (Washington DC 6-10 March) to explain the advantages of Debra, the LIMS that has been setting the standards for drug metabolism and ADME for almost two decades.

Already widely favoured by pharmaceutical companies, Debra is increasingly important to the CROs to whom much ADME research is being outsourced, principally because of its fast data turnaround, easy reporting and GLP/Part 11 compliance.

It captures data directly, giving a significant time saving compared with manual transcription and calculations using Excel spreadsheets, all in a GLP environment ensuring comprehensive traceability of who captured what, on which instrument and when – vital for commercial credibility in today’s highly regulated environment.

Debra encompasses the complete study life cycle: protocol definition; calculation of drug quantities for formulations and treatments; dosing and day-to-day sample capture; calculation of % recovery of dose and concentration; and the production of all reports, tables and graphs.

LabLogic Systems

Stem cell-based toxicology testing partnership

CIT – Safety and Health Research Laboratories and Stemina Biomarker Discovery Inc announced today that CIT and Stemina have entered into a strategic partnership. Under the arrangement, CIT will distribute Stemina’s devTOX assay in Europe and will work with Stemina to validate the test for use under the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) initiative. As early as 2012, and more particularly for volumes of one ton or more per year, REACH will require manufacturers and importers to register and test all chemicals and compositions containing chemicals.

DevTOX uses human Embryonic Stem (hES) cells to test pharmaceuticals, chemicals and formulations such as cosmetics for their potential to cause birth defects if a woman is exposed during pregnancy. DevTOX is able to model human developmental toxicity with about 90 per cent accuracy in blinded studies of chemicals whose effect on the developing human embryo are known. This is a significant improvement from rodents, which are only about 60 per cent predictive of the effect of a compound on human development.

Sigma-Aldrich takes over global Distribution for BASF pharma excipients in small pack sizes

BASF SE and Sigma-Aldrich have signed a global distribution agreement for a number of BASF’s pharmaceutical excipients. Sigma-Aldrich will repackage the products into small pack sizes making them available for academic orientated research and development segments like universities and laboratories.

British chemist recognized as leader in mass spectrometry

The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) announce Carol V Robinson, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford, UK, as the winner of the 2011 FEBS/EMBO Women in Science Award. Professor Robinson has been recognized for her pioneering work in the development of mass spectrometry as a tool used for investigating the structure and dynamics of protein complexes.

The FEBS/EMBO Women in Science Award rewards the exceptional achievements of a female researcher in molecular biology over the previous five years. Winners of the award are role models who inspire future generations of women in science.

Targeted re-sequencing

IMGM Laboratories GMBH has purchased a Fluidigm Access Array System to use in its development and validation of targeted re-sequencing applications services. IMGM is the first Genomic Services Provider to offer the combination of the Fluidigm Access Array technology in conjunction with Roche's 454 Next-Generation Sequencing Systems to its customers in Germany.

The Fluidigm Access Array System is an advanced and widely used automated sample preparation system for next-generation sequencing. The Access Array technology provides parallel amplification of 48 unique samples, in effect preparing 48 sequencing libraries, in just a few hours. Every reaction combines both an amplicon tagging and a barcoding (identification) step that enables all 48 amplicons to be multiplexed in a sequencing run. The Access Array technology simplifies the labor-intensive up-front preparation, minimizes preparation error, and allows for the maximum utility of next generation sequencers.

"We believed that the Fluidigm Access Array System combined with the 454 Sequencing System would provide a perfect match when it came to amplicon-based targeted re-sequencing," said Ralph Oehlmann, Director Business Development for IMGM Laboratories GmbH. "So IMGM implemented the Fluidigm Access Array System into its amplicon-based targeted re-sequencing workflow using the Roche 454 NGS sequencing technology and we are offering our customers complete assay development solutions for Fluidigm-based target enrichment and library generation."

"Fluidigm is very excited about the dramatic early market acceptance of our unique amplicon tagging approach for next generation sequencing. Harnessing and applying the power of NGS to targeted resequencing of multiple sample sets fills an important application need. Having excellent service providers, such as IMGM, to help spread the use of these capabilities will allow more customers to take advantage of these combined tools," said Fred Walder, Chief Business Officer for Fluidigm.

IMGM

Fluidigm

Advanced data analysis using Visualization

A common problem affecting many scientists, especially those working in the area of molecular biology, is the vast amount of data that is created by their experiments. With such a large volume of data to consider, it is often impossible to derive any real biological meaning from their findings with the naked eye alone, which means that sophisticated data algorithms need to be developed in order for researchers to interpret their data effectively.

Until now, computer software designed for this purpose has focused on being able to handle increasingly vast amounts of data. As a result, the role of the scientist/researcher has partly been set aside, and a lot of data analysis is now performed by specialist bioinformaticians and biostatisticians. In most cases, however, this model has several drawbacks, since it is typically the scientist who knows the most about the specific area being studied.

Even though the exploration and analysis of large data sets can be challenging, the active use of Visualization techniques can provide a powerful way of identifying important structures and patterns very quickly. Visualization provides the user with instant feedback, and with results that present themselves as they are being generated.

First national data on breast cancers that occur between screenings

The first UK-wide study into the rate of breast cancers diagnosed between scheduled screenings is being published today in the British Journal of Cancer.

Interval cancers can include cancers that develop and become symptomatic in the time between screening appointments, as well as those missed or undetectable by mammography that are subsequently detected symptomatically.
An analysis led by The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) found 2.91 per 1,000 women who had a negative screen were diagnosed with breast cancer before their next screen was due.

The study examined data from more than 7.3 million women aged 50 to 64 who had a routine screen between April 1997 and March 2003 at one of 92 screening centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Wyatt wins award for advanced technological innovations

Wyatt Technology Corporation today announced that it has received one of the prestigious Tibbetts Awards from the Small Business Administration (SBA) for its role as the world's leading provider of analytical light scattering instrumentation. The Small Business Administration presents the awards (also knows as "Tibbies") to companies and individuals that have advanced technological innovation and economic growth.

iPhone App to simplify GC Column selection

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc today announced the release of a free GC Column Selector app for iPhone. The new app helps GC chromatographers select the ideal Thermo Scientific GC column for either existing or regulated methods based on their current configuration. It provides a quick cross-reference for Thermo Scientific TRACE columns to GC columns from other manufacturers. Customers can simply insert their existing column part number or select a current column from the supplied list and the intuitive app recommends the best TRACE GC Column for each application.

The Thermo Scientific GC Column Selector iPhone app puts details about a wide array of phases offered in the Thermo Scientific TraceGOLD GC column range at chromatographers’ fingertips. Furthermore, the convenient application enables point-of-use column selection and the added functionality of contact information for sales or technical enquiries.

To download the free Thermo Scientific GC Column Selector app for iPhone, see www.thermoscientific.com/tracegold

6th International Symposium on MS and Related Techniques in Advanced Analytical Science

Waters Corporation has expanded its slate of speakers for the 6th International Symposium on MS and Related Techniques in Advanced Analytical Science, April 12 – 14 at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate, Manchester, England. The event will feature presentations from many of the world’s leading scientists in the burgeoning fields of bioanalysis, food and environmental testing, metabolic profiling/lipidomics, imaging mass spectrometry, structural biology, and proteomics.

Attendees will hear experts share insights into their use of high-resolution mass spectrometry, UltraPerformance Liquid Chromatography, ion mobility mass spectrometry, and informatics and take home with them greater understanding of these techniques and their uses.

OGT awarded ISO/IEC 17025:2005 Accreditation

Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), provider of innovative clinical genetics and diagnostic solutions to advance molecular medicine, today announced that its Genefficiency and CytoSure array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) services have been accredited as meeting ISO/IEC 17025:2005 international standards by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). The award underlines the superior level of expertise and quality control in the company’s laboratories and allows identification of OGT as a high-quality supplier of fully validated aCGH services. The endorsement is one of a trio recently achieved by the company, forming part of a programme of initiatives aimed at providing independent affirmation of OGT’s working practices. This new accreditation aligns with the recently received ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications, highlighting OGT’s dedication to the maintenance of high-quality management processes and stringent information security.

Versatile filter plate vacuum manifold

The Universal Robotic Manifold from Porvair Sciences has been designed to operate with all brands of filter plate and waste collection reservoir tray.

Adaptable to work with three different lengths of drip director (short, medium and long) the Universal Robotic Manifold is able to accommodate collection plates from 14mm-44mm in height. Supplied with an integral vacuum gauge - the Universal Robotic Manifold provides precise and complete control of vacuum pressure ensuring Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) or Protein Precipitation plates may be processed with high reproducibility. Constructed from acetal and acrylic polymers the Universal Robotic Manifold is chemically resistant to most common solvents.

Easily assembled and disassembled by robotic manipulators the Universal Robotic Manifold facilitates productive automation of SPE or DNA clean-up procedures. The Universal Robotic Manifold is fully compatible with most commercial robotic liquid handling systems.

Porvair Sciences

Sintered porous materials and filtration for life sciences

Porvair Filtration Group has announced that it will be attending the Hannover Messe 2011 where it will exhibit a range of sintered porous materials and filtration products.

Porvair's sintered porous metal and plastic materials are used in finished products or supplied for OEM manufacture across varied markets including industrial, chemical and life sciences. The sintered porous materials are suited to a host of applications such as filtration, aeration, sound attenuation, vacuum tables, chemical controlled release and powder fluidisation.

Porvair filters are manufactured to meet customer's requirements and can be found in diverse markets including the Aerospace, Nuclear, Chemical Processing, Food and Beverage and Pharmaceutical industry.

Based at Stand F22, Halle 5, technical specialists from Porvair will be on hand during the exhibition to discuss your material needs or filtration requirements.

The Porvair Filtration Group is an acknowledged international leader in the development and supply of materials and products for filtration applications. With manufacturing capacity in both the UK and USA and an extensive network of global sales offices and distribution channels, Porvair's has the expertise and reach to partner with and support organisations around the world.

Porvair Filtration Group

Knockdown cell lines for DNA repair studies

AMSBIO has announced a new range of highly efficient knockdown cell lines covering the Base Excision DNA Repair pathway.

The new range of 20 DNA Repair Knockdown cell lines was developed to enable scientists to study the molecular etiology of tumour genomic instability and to exploit it in oncology research.

The AMSBIO DNA Repair Knockdown cell lines are based upon target-specific LN428 glioblastoma shRNA lentivirus transduced cells that are rigorously qualified and mycoplasma free.

DNA repair pathways maintain the integrity of the genome, reducing the onset of cancer, disease and aging phenotypes.

The requirement for DNA repair and genome maintenance in response to radiation and genotoxic chemotherapeutics implicates DNA repair proteins as prime targets for improving response to currently available anti-cancer regimens.

AMSBIO's DNA repair knockdown cell lines provide essential tools to address these needs.

All AMSBIO DNA Repair Knockdown Cell Line products are evaluated by RT-PCR and Western Blots in addition functional assays are performed were feasible. The knockdown efficiency of the new DNA Repair Knockdown Cell Lines on target genes, as measured by RT-PCR, is 63-98%.

AMS Biotechnology (AMSBIO)

AnaSpec introduces SensoLyte SIRT2 Assay Kits

Expanding on its offerings of long wavelength, highly sensitive SIRT assays, AnaSpec, Eurogentec Group, has released 2 assay kits for SIRT2, the SensoLyte 520 FRET SIRT2 Assay Kit and the SensoLyte Green SIRT2 Assay Kit.

The substrate found in the SensoLyte 520 FRET SIRT2 Assay Kit employs a FRET substrate, and the peptide sequence is derived from a human alpha-tubulin sequence surrounding the deacetylation site of SIRT2. The SensoLyte Green SIRT2 Assay Kit provides a fluorogenic substrate with a human p53 derived sequence.

Compared with lower emitting substrates found in existing commercial kits, these kits employ fluorimetric substrates that emit in the green range of 520 nm. At this higher wavelength, the contribution of autofluorescence is minimal. These kits provide a convenient, two-step homogeneous procedure for measuring sirtuin 2 activity and for screening enzyme inhibitors and activators.

PRECOS doubles capacity and appoints new senior scientific staff

Preclinical Oncology Services Limited (PRECOS), a pre-clinical research and development service provider with a specific focus on oncology, announces that it has doubled its capacity to support the strategic growth of the company. Following a successful first six months since its spin-out from the University of Nottingham in September 2010, the company has expanded to accommodate existing and anticipated growth in line with its leadership in oncology drug discovery. By adding this extra capacity, PRECOS will be able to provide its leading specialist services to its existing and growing number of prospective customers.

Petaka cell culture device

Celartia has announced they have entered into a number strategic alliances with major life science organisations aimed at growing availability of the Petaka product for its global markets. Agreements are in place in several key markets covering Europe, the Far East, South America and Australia and they plan to add other territories to their worldwide network to complement offices already based in Columbus, Ohio and Valencia, Spain.

The move is a result of an increasing demand for new innovative and efficient cell culture devices, with many technicians still using antiquated methods that date back to the 1950s.

Use of different types of genomic DNA libraries enables sequencing and scaffolding of genomes of any size

Eurofins MWG Operon, an expert in next generation sequencing (NGS) routinely uses up to five different non-cloned genomic DNA libraries for sequencing with Roche GS FLX or Illumina HiSeq 2000 technology.

The libraries are a combination of shotgun and long paired end (LPE) libraries with different jumping distances (3kb, 8kb, 20kb and up to 40kb). After sequencing, the resulting reads are assembled into large contigs and merged into scaffolds. Additional sequencing of normalised or methyl depleted libraries allow deep sequencing of euchromatic regions in highly repetitive genomes.

Chinese deals cap year for Innova

A recent visit from Zhou Xiaoming, Minister Counsellor from the Chinese Embassy, has capped a remarkable year for Innova Biosciences, a leader in bioconjugation and antibody labelling. Mr Xiaoming was in Cambridge looking at inward investment opportunities, which took in a tour of Innova’s new state-of-the-art facilities in Cambridge. The visit follows Innova’s appointment of two new distributors to sell its pioneering Lightning- Link antibody kit into China after support from UK Trade and Investment.

GE Healthcare launches MabSelect SuRe LX affinity chromatography medium

GE Healthcare has extended the MabSelect family with MabSelect SuRe LX, a protein A-derived affinity medium designed to promote efficient processing of high-titer bioreactor feeds.

MabSelect SuRe LX has enhanced alkaline stability and exceptional dynamic binding capacity that exceeds similar high-flow agarose media such as MabSelect SuRe. The highly-rigid base matrix facilitates the use of higher bed heights and high flow rates, which reduces cycle time and provides flexibility in process design. Additionally, higher dynamic binding capacity and bed heights enable the use of small-diameter columns, thus reducing equipment footprint.

Custom microarray services

Arrayjet today announced that the company has launched its custom microarray services offering. Arrayjet entered the microarray market in 2005, when it launched the first of its suite of four microarrayers based on the company’s unique non-contact technology. Since then, the company has sold over forty instruments worldwide, to customers working in such prestigious organisations as The Roslin Institute, The Medical Research Council of Great Britain, EMBL, Cornell University, Millipore, Novartis and CalTech.

Medivir signs research and development collaboration on Dengue virus

Medivir AB, the research-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on infectious diseases, has announced that it has signed a collaboration agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica NV for the discovery and development of drugs for the prophylaxis and treatment of dengue virus infection. Utilising both companies’ core competences in the discovery and development of protease inhibitors, Medivir and Janssen will initiate an R&D program to co-develop drugs based on the inhibition of the dengue NS3 protease activity. Both parties will contribute equal resources to the research program and Medivir has an option to continue to contribute equal funding for the non-clinical and clinical development stages.

The terms of the agreement govern the discovery, clinical development and commercialisation of any drugs developed under the agreement. Depending on the level of funding through pre-specified decision points, each party has the option to take products discovered through the research program forward through development and on to commercialisation. If both parties remain in the collaboration until product approval, Janssen will be responsible for commercialization. Medivir will receive pre-agreed royalties on net sales of future products that reflect its contribution to the development of products.

Digital IP protection service to the biopharmaceutical industry

Surety, LLC and SAFE-BioPharma Association have announced a partnership that leverages the SAFE-BioPharma digital identity management standard with Surety’s AbsoluteProof Service. The new arrangement will enable life sciences, bio-tech and R&D laboratories to protect intellectual property and legally defend the authenticity of digitally signed electronic files throughout their chain of custody. As part of the agreement, Surety has become a SAFE-BioPharma Vendor Partner.

Under the terms of the agreement, Surety is able to incorporate the SAFE-BioPharma identity management standard - used to verify and manage digital identities and to apply digital signatures to electronic records - into products using its AbsoluteProof cryptographically based time-stamp service. The new alliance will jointly target laboratories in small and mid-size biopharmaceutical companies as they transition from paper-based to electronic lab management workflows and record-keeping processes.