RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

Herolab of Wiesloch in Germany manufactures products for life science research and diagnostics, and has now opened a UK-based office in Cambridge. This will help to service the growing number of users in the UK and well as offering sales and support for a number of International dealers and customers.

Olympus has launched a new cellFRAP deck system for the popular IX3 ‘open source concept’ IX83 and IX73 microscopes. Olympus cellFRAP is designed with researchers in mind, providing accurate and flexible live-cell photomanipulation with various evaluation options for data presentation.

Binding Site unveiled Optilite at the EuroMedLab exhibition in Paris recently. The company has spent more than four years developing Optilite in response to customer demand and the results are claimed to be truly outstanding. In independent testing by 11 European clinical sites, Optilite has demonstrated consistent efficiency and assay performance in real-world laboratory conditions.

Don Whitley Scientific has launched a fully automated oxygen calibration system for Whitley workstations. This solution will help users to calibrate their workstation efficiently and easily, and so improve the accuracy of experimental data.

InterSystems, the developer of the TrakCare unified healthcare information system, will preview its laboratory business management system (LBMS) at the IBMS Congress (Stand F28) in Birmingham at the end of the month.

The opportunity to test for both faecal pancreatic elastase (to measure pancreatic exocrine function) and faecal M2-PK (for colorectal cancer screening) using the same stool extract is just one of the benefits delivered by the new ScheBo Master Quick-Prep device.

BioTek has announced the release of the Synergy Neo2 multi-mode reader. With improved performance and new features, Synergy Neo2 is now the most advanced high-performance, high-speed plate reader on the market. Synergy Neo2 is designed for speed and ultra-high performance, incorporating BioTek Hybrid Technology with its independent optical paths that ensure uncompromised performance. Continuously variable bandwidth quadruple monochromators, sensitive high-transmission filter-based optics provide ultra-fast measurements with excellent results.

QuickFISH is a rapid molecular diagnostic platform, developed by AdvanDx, that is now available exclusively in the UK from Alpha Laboratories. It provides 20-minute species identification of bacteria directly from positive blood cultures. This enables clinicians to prescribe the correct antimicrobial therapy for patients with bloodstream infections much earlier, ensuring better patient outcome, reduced hospital stay and lower medical costs. These assays are based on PNA probe technology and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH).

Aplegen is a new face on the gel documentation market and has introduced Omega Lum W for multicolour R, G, B and chemiluminescence imaging. This small-footprint system breaks the mould of traditional heavy and cumbersome gel documentation systems by utilising innovative design and incorporating an integral tablet for control. This compact package sits neatly on any laboratory bench ready to image gels, Western blots or multiplexing multi-coloured blots at the click of a button.

Beckman Coulter’s new, automated Aquios CL flow cytometer has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the clinical laboratory.The small-footprint, high-precision instrument has been designed specifically for the Lean laboratory, operating 24/7 and requiring automated systems which improve workflow, enhance quality and deliver a consistent turnaround time (TAT).

Cryptosporidiosis is routinely diagnosed by microscopic analysis of stool samples using organic dyes or by immunostaining by direct fluorescent antibody, and can be difficult to detect. Similarly, Giardia infection is frequently misdiagnosed, relying on poorly performing antigen-based testing.

SpeciSafe secondary packaging containers provide a safe, convenient and economical solution for compliant mailing of biohazardous and clinical specimens. The extensive SpeciSaferange includes solutions for screw-cap microtubes, serum vials, vacuum blood collection tubes, cryovials, Bijoucontainers, swabs/transport tubes, and is now extended toinclude a pack to seal threeuniversal containers in addition tothe original single universal pack.

Randox has launched its new AcuseraHaematology Control. Combining 45 parameters in total, thecomprehensive full blood profile is covered in a single, cost-effective control. Providing atrue third party solution for Sysmexhaematology analysers capable of five-part differential measurement, anindependent, unbiased assessment of analytical performance is guaranteed.

Horizon Discovery Group, theinternational life science company supplying research tools and services that power genomics research and the development of personalised medicines, has introduced a range of genetically defined, highly characterised HDx reference standards for immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays, developed by the company’s diagnostics division.

The new Streck Philisa ampC ID kit enables rapid identification of six plasmid-mediated ampC resistance genes for pathogen surveillance in hospitals and research. When used along with standard culture, this conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit will help to provide up-to-date information for infection control by identifying which Gram-negative ampC-resistant bacterial strains are present in the hospital. Resistance to the beta-lactam class of antimicrobials is a significant cause of multidrug-resistant urinary tract and bloodstream infections.

Syngene, a manufacturer of image analysis solutions, has launched the new PXi Access range of compact, multi-application imaging systems. The easy-to-use PXi Access systems offer major advances in film detection and can rapidly generate high-quality images of virtually all types of large blots and gels.

The STH and STQ Duplex metering pumps from Fluid Metering (FMI) are ideal for precision mixing, diluting, and proportional metering for OEM medical, analytical and industrial instrumentation. The company’s OEM Duplex metering pumps consist of two FMI valveless pump heads coupled to a single variable stepper motor drive. The displacement of each pump head is independently adjustable, and various pump head sizes can be used in combinations to achieve dispensing ratios (1:1 up to 500:1).

Registered laboratories of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) carry out measurements and calibrations that are traceable to national measurement standards held in the UK's National Metrology Institute (NMI), the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). Each UKAS-certified micrometer available from Agar Scientific is permanently marked with an individual reference number, and is supplied in a baize-lined wooden box.

Protea Biosciences recently presented a new chip-based technology at Pittcon in New Orleans. This nanopost array technology, called REDIchip (resonance-enhanced desorption ionisation) was invented in the laboratory of Dr Akos Vertes, in the Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University. The chip is designed to be used for mass spectrometric analysis on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) platforms without the need for matrix.

Mast Group is an independent, market-leading manufacturer and supplier of diagnostic products for clinical, industrial and veterinary testing. Mast has produced antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) products since 1957, and continues to be at the forefront of developments in this field. With an ever-expanding portfolio of antibiotic susceptibility, resistance marker and identification discs, Mast supplies the most comprehensive range worldwide.