RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

The Native Antigen Company (NAC) has released a highly purified cytomegalovirus (CMV) native antigen, which has been manufactured in response to the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry’s requirement for a cost-effective antigen that can demonstrate a high affinity for IgG and IgM. This latest antigen from NAC’s rapidly increasing portfolio also minimises cross-reactivity and lot-to-lot variation.

Olympus has released the new CX22 microscopes for routine and educational use. Building on the success of the CX21 range of microscopes, the CX22 series features significant improvements for convenient microscopy. Without compromising on image quality, these microscopes provide a bigger field of view and increased flexibility when altering the height of the eye point. Ergonomically designed and easy to use, these microscopes are also the ideal solution to a wide range of routine microscopy needs.

Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) is taking orders for a new product that represents a significant advance in synthetic biology tools. gBlocks gene fragments are double-stranded, sequence-verified genomic blocks up to 500 base pairs. Their high sequence fidelity and rapid delivery time makes gBlocks ideal for a range of biology applications, including easy assembly of multiple gene fragments to generate larger gene constructs.

Alere has received confirmation that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the Alere Influenza A&B test for the US market. This highly sensitive, rapid test is intended for use at the point of care and will help practitioners manage patients with influenza-like illness more effectively.

Carltex has introduced a new line of microscope LCD digital tablet/cameras which are ideal for any microscope system. Available in 2 megapixel (BLC-200) and 5 megapixel (BLC-500) resolutions, these units combine the features of a tablet PC and a digital camera.

In order to maintain thermal stability of spectrometers operating in variable environments, Ocean Optics has released the USB-TC small-footprint heating device. Compatible with the company’s USB2000+ and USB4000 miniature spectrometers, the unit attaches directly to the spectrometer and maintains wavelength thermal stability to within ±0.025 pixels/°C. This temperature control ensures accuracy in settings where temperature variations can affect spectral performance.

The new TC-9D control unit incorporates a flow meter in addition to a thermocouple, for more accurate and reproducible operation of the Techne SBL range of fluidised baths. With push-fit connectors for fast and easy set up, the self-contained TC-9D Controller enhances temperature accuracy and stability of SBL fluidised baths, achieving ±0.5°C up to 300°C, ±1.0°C between 300°C and 400°C, and ±1.5°C from 400°C to 600°C.

IKS International has now added airborne particles to the parameters that can be monitored by its XiltriX real-time laboratory monitoring system. Each Calypso particle data transmitter can support up to 10 particle counters for continuous, automatic particle counting in clean rooms, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) laboratories, pharmaceutical production facilities and anywhere that airborne particulates are a potential problem. Individual laser-based counters are available to a number of specifications, but typically can monitor particles down to 0.3 µm in diameter.

Olympus offers its versatile, powerful BX3 clinical microscope systems for analysis and disease diagnosis in pathology and cytology. The systems take advantage of Olympus’s new true-colour light-emitting diode (LED) illumination technology and built-in Light Intensity Manager (LIM) to create images with accurately rendered colours.

The Thermo Scientific PathoDxtra Strep Grouping Kit has just been launched. This latex agglutination kit offers faster Streptococcus grouping than traditional methods for all clinically significant Lancefield groups. Designed to improve workflow efficiencies, the nitrous acid extraction instantly removes the cell antigens and the test does not require rehydration or incubation.

Pro-Lab Diagnostics has launched a high-quality immunoassay for rapid and accurate screening of patients with suspected Clostridium difficile infection. The Prolisa C. difficile GDH (glutamate dehydrogenase) enzyme immunoassay (EIA) achieves excellent sensitivity and specificity thanks to a mouse monoclonal GDH antibody, and it offers a high negative predictive value so that C. difficile infection can be ruled out quickly and easily.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has unveiled the new Thermo Scientific Revco UxF series ultralow-temperature (ULT) freezers. Providing outstanding sample protection, while maintaining high standards in energy efficiency and capacity per footprint, these new freezers excel both in design and security. Equipped with a touchscreen control panel that features an event log, health monitoring system and controlled access options, the Revco UxF series provides a constant update on the integrity and health of the freezer compartment.

The new ScheBo M2-PK Quick rapid test for colorectal cancer screening of faecal samples extends the product range for testing M2-PK as a tumour biomarker, alongside the two existing quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests for M2-PK in EDTA-plasma and stool samples. M2 pyruvate kinase (M2-PK) has a critical function in glucose metabolism and high concentrations of the dimeric isoform are found in cancer.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched a new compact atomic absorption (AA) spectrometer for dedicated and cost-effective graphite furnace analysis. The Thermo Scientific iCE 3300GF, the latest addition to the iCE 3000 series range of AA spectrometers, offers guaranteed deuterium background correction and automatic optical set-up, ensuring optimal sensitivity, reliability and accuracy of results.

Nikon has developed a streamlined version of its groundbreaking A1R MP multiphoton confocal imaging system. The new A1 MP scanner has been developed for simplified, cost-effective multiphoton imaging, while maintaining the sensitivity and quality of the highly respected A1R MP system. Multiphoton imaging is becoming increasingly popular for cell-friendly, dynamic live-cell and deep tissue imaging. Budgetary constraints have, historically, prevented some laboratories from realising the full potential of this exciting technique.

Legionella pneumophila is a Gram-negative organism found in the natural environment. It can infect humans, setting up an infection of the pulmonary alveolar macrophages, which is now termed Legionnaire’s disease. Although there are 64 serogroups of Legionella, 70–90% of cases of pneumonia are caused by L. pneumophila serogroup 1 (SG1).

Water analysis specialist Palintest has launched its new 9100 UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The 9100 UV-Vis instrument provides standalone or dedicated PC operation using Palintest’s specially designed software, and extends the company’s existing product range, offering high-end analysis specifically designed for the laboratory environment.

Sigma Life Science has introduced 1700 new products to its collection of highly characterised Prestige Antibodies. The entire portfolio, which now stands at over 10,000 antibodies and covers 8400 protein targets, is available as part of an exclusive partnership with Atlas Antibodies.

Sterilin has extended its range of sterile polypropylene centrifuge tubes that offers a speed capability up to 12,000 xg. The high-quality standard range is suitable for general laboratory applications and the premium range, which is certified free from DNase/RNase/human DNA and non-pyrogenic, is ideal for molecular biology applications.

Techne offers the TC-PLUS range of thermal cyclers, a feature-packed combination of server and satellite units that give complete flexibility to configure any multi-block format. These versatile thermal cyclers feature some of the fastest aluminium blocks available, providing a ramp rate of up to 5°C per second, as well as innovative energysaving technology and a space-efficient design.