RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

Beckman Coulter's UniCel DxH Slidemaker Stainer (DxH SMS) is the latest platform in the company's Coulter Cellular Analysis portfolio. The DxH SMS prepares slides automatically based on slide orders received from laboratory information systems, using customisable criteria for blood film preparation and adjustable staining protocols with hands-free operation.

The ZEEnit 650 P transversely heated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) from Analytik Jena UK features third-generation Zeeman magnetic field technology and D2 background correction techniques for outstanding analytical capability.

Stemmer Imaging can now provide system developers with specialised monochrome and colour cameras that can provide ultra-high resolution yet use standard lens technology. Measuring just 55 x 55 x 84.5 mm, the CVC Ultra 125MP CL monochrome and CVC Ultra 45MP CL colour cameras offer a resolution of up to 125 and 45 million pixels, respectively, using pixel shift technology. This ultra-high resolution is perfect for many scientific applications.

Labtech International is adding G-Storm's new GS482 model into its family of thermal cyclers. The new instrument, which features an enlarged screen to improve the user interface and experience, brings the product into line with G-Storm's other GS models (GS1, GS2 and GS4).

Cambio is the exclusive UK distributor of Minerva Biolabs products for detecting, eliminating and preventing cell culture contamination and identifying Legionella in water samples. A range of clinical diagnostic kits focusing on the detection of pathogenic bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Chlamydia, Bordetella, and some responsible for causing pneumonia, is also available.

Effective culture of Clostridium difficile, such as that provided by bioMérieux's ready-to-use chromID C. difficile medium, may offer advantages over the current glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) toxin tests, as well as have the potential to save time and reduce screening costs.

BioCision has launched a new and comprehensive line of products to standardise immunohistochemistry, slide staining and sorting, tissue dissection, cell harvesting, and tissue embedding. "These products will change the way tissue samples are prepared and have a huge impact on biomarker detection, especially in the era of personalised medicine," said BioCision's CEO Rolf Ehrhardt.

The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Hospital Trust has become the UK's 50th placement of a Beckman Coulter UniCel DxH 800 Coulter Cellular Analysis System. This is the first stage in the hospital's £2 million-pound investment programme to improve and expand the automation of its laboratory services. Over the last decade, the laboratory has faced an average rise in workloads of 4-5% per annum. However, they have risen sharply in the last two years to 9% per year, with demand from GPs running at 50% of total test requests. The laboratory now handles well over 400,000 full blood counts a year.

Better knowledge of the origin of pre-eclampsia has led to the development of a simple blood test that detects a hormone, placental growth factor (PLGF), produced by the placenta that falls to very low levels in women with the early-onset and severe forms of the disease.

Clean and efficient collection, transport and filtration of parasites can now be made easier using the new Mini-System faecal parasite concentrator from Quest Biomedical. Mini-System’s filter design, incorporating separate coarse and fine filters, provides effective filtration of the homogenised sample, resulting in a cleaner sediment and reduced sample loss. The need to use ethyl acetate or ether is avoided, as fat from the sample is effectively removed by the action of Triton and the double-filter system.

The extensive range of Jenway pH electrodes, available from Bibby Scientific, includes general purpose, application-specific and advanced performance electrodes, complementing Jenway’s versatile portfolio of portable and bench pH meters. From life science to environmental, industrial and food-related applications, there are electrodes designed with the exact characteristics required for convenient and accurate pH measurement.

Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. This infection is contracted by eating contaminated food. The infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth and meningitis. An outbreak in 2011 involving contaminated cantaloupes lead to 30 deaths.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced a range of new, improved Thermo Scientific Sterilin 30 mL universal containers with easier handling and improved leak-free performance. The new QuickStart cap is based on a ‘three start’ thread, which requires fewer turns to open and close.

Syngene has introduced its new InGenius3 gel imaging system. Designed with a compact darkroom, as well as blue, white and UV lighting options, InGenius3 offers maximum gel imaging versatility at an affordable price.

The Randox liquid ready-to-use lipoprotein (a) assay provides a highly sensitive and specific method for the detection of Lp(a) in human serum and plasma. The assay is based on an immunoturbidimetric method, is suitable for use on most chemistry analysers, and is not affected by Apo(a) size-related bias.

Radiometer’s new AQURE point-of-care (POC) management system offers a customisable, highly flexible and scalable software solution with the capability to monitor and control the performance of POC testing platform. The easy-to-use system encompasses a device centre with online analyser, parameter and QC status instantly available.

Qiagen has launched the QIAensemble Decapper automated sample preparation system, which automates the handling of liquid-based cytology (LBC) and other liquid vials, enabling laboratories to eliminate many manual steps. It improves laboratory workflow by providing an automated solution for transferring clinical samples from closed primary vials to compatible tubes for downstream processing. QIAensemble Decapper was launched in the USA late in 2011, with rollout in Europe and other areas of the world underway this year.

Promega has launched four new proteases: pepsin, elastase, sequencing grade Arg-C and thermolysin. These high-quality proteases are the latest addition to Promega’s range of protein sample preparation reagents, which includes Trypsin Gold.

Pro-Lab Diagnostics has released a rapid visual assay for the detection of Helicobacter pylori in faecal samples. Pyloritop Ag+ is an immunochromatogenic test designed to provide clinical laboratories with a cost-effective assay to help meet current guidelines for the detection and treatment of H. pylori.

Availability of stand-off legs for Priorclave’s range of bench-top autoclaves brings significant advantages to designated Category 3 application areas, providing much easier access beneath the for cleaning and disinfection of laboratory work surfaces to prevent spread of virus and eliminate potential cross contamination. Another added benefit is the Biocote antimicrobial surface protection.