RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

Programming of complex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols can now be performed faster and easier. The Bioer LifeTouch 96-well gradient thermal cycler with its full-colour touchscreen menu and display enables set up in just a few seconds.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is using two STA-R Evolution analysers from Stago to provide fully automated coagulation testing throughout West Cheshire.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can produce similar symptoms, and is difficult to make a differential diagnosis without the use of invasive colonoscopy investigations. Now, however, measurement of faecal calprotectin has proved to distinguish between IBS and IBD.

Stago has launched a simple test that will rapidly exclude heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in just 10 minutes. Based on lateral-flow technology, the STic Expert HIT kit provides a quick and easy way of ruling out HIT, allowing clinicians to make faster, better-informed decisions for improved patient care.

Leica’s Sub-X, a clearing agent from the Surgipath brand, is an economical xylene substitute. It is less volatile than xylene and over three times less toxic – the eight-hour workplace exposure for xylene is 50 ppm and for Sub-X is 196 ppm.

Promega has launched the ReliaPrep 96 gDNA MiniPrep HT system to complement the recently released ReliaPrep RNA Cell MiniPrep system for the extraction and isolation of genomic DNA (gDNA) and RNA, respectively. The range of ReliaPrep systems is designed to isolate pure nucleic acid from very small sample volumes, from blood, tissue, formalin-fixed, paraffin wax-embedded (FFPE) tissue or cells, in a simple and reliable process.

The Kinesis Group, a specialist in the supply and support of chromatography and liquid-handling consumables, has announced the release of its new range of TELOS columns for HPLC and UHPLC, designed specifically for analytical and high-speed analytical separations.

A simple diagnostic test developed at Oxford University, and launched by Massachusetts-based Boston Heart Diagnostics, will identify those at increased risk of rare but serious side effects from taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs.

IntelligentMDx (IMDx) has obtained CE-marking for a new automated, high-throughput, qualitative in vitro diagnostic test for the rapid detection of group B streptococci (GBS) for use in screening pregnant women and those in labour who may be infected with the pathogen. Group B streptococci are responsible for life-threatening bacterial infections, including sepsis, meningitis and pneumonia, in newborns.

Designed with all the advantages of an open architecture and chemistry format, PrimeQ is the new real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system from Techne. Supported by Quansoft software, PrimeQ gives users the freedom to choose their preferred chemistry, consumables and data analysis method.

Agilent Technologies has introduced additional Agilent SureFISH probes, creating the largest offering of oligonucleotide-based fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) assays on the market. Over 425 probes are now available, including centromere probes for all 24 chromosomes, and 35 telomere probes.

Achema 2012 gave UK autoclave manufacturer Priorclave the first opportunity to showcase a number of new developments, including a range of front-loading steam sterilisers with Tactrol Touch – new touchscreen controls on show for the first time. The latest version of the EH150 Priorclave, a 150 litre front-loading autoclave is the company’s first steam steriliser to be released with the newly developed touchscreen controls.

The compact, lightweight CM-10MP mini viewing cabinet is ideal for any type of life science application requiring high-contrast fluorescence analysis. It is also excellent for viewing TLC plates and for quality control inspections. Weighing only 1.8 kg, it can be conveniently carried from place to place. With its compact dimensions, this space-saving unit can fit easily in cramped areas.

Stago is the world leader in haemostasis, and offers a range of platelet-related assays under the BioCytex brand. With almost 20 years of expertise in providing dedicated flow cytometry solutions for this highly specialised market, BioCytex is ideally positioned to provide innovative kits to aid clinical diagnosis of rare pathologies and research of platelet function.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced its Thermo Scientific Sterilin Quick Start 30 mL polypropylene universal containers. As they are leak-proof, resistant to temperature and chemicals and easier to use, they can better protect samples in all types of laboratories. The Sterilin Quick Start containers are manufactured from clear polypropylene, which has greater temperature and chemical resistance than other materials such as polystyrene. This meets the needs of a wider range of laboratory applications, from healthcare to life science research.

Ureaplasma are very small free-living bacteria that, like the mycoplasmas, have no cell walls. Named for its metabolic utilisation of urea, it possesses a small, simple genome.

Storage of tissue blocks and slides in the laboratory has the advantage of total control over archiving and is more cost-effective than external storage.

Promega has launched the QuantiFluor RNA system for highly sensitive, easy RNA quantitation. The QuantiFluor RNA dye enables quantitation of small amounts (as little as 100 pg) of RNA in solution, a critical step in many biological applications, particularly in standard molecular biology techniques.

Pro-Lab Diagnostics has developed a new enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the qualitative detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia antigens in human faecal specimens from patients displaying gastrointestinal symptoms.

The UriCon is a standalone, static concentrator that uses a regenerated cellulose membrane which recovers more Bence-Jones proteins, giving it a high sensitivity.