RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

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.

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.