RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

Independent microscopy specialist Micropix has announced the latest addition to its product range, the EcoLED. The EcoLED is a single-channel light-emitting diode (LED) light source for fluorescence illumination that complements the company’s existing dual and four-channel LED fluorescence products.

Part of the Techne range of personal thermal cyclers from Bibby Scientific, the TC-3000G gradient model offers two interchangeable block options, a gradient of up to 15ºC, an exceptionally wide choice of consumables, fast-track programming and networking capability. All these features and more are contained within a 17x33 cm footprint, making it the world’s smallest gradient thermal cycler.

Alere International has announced the launch of its new Triage NT-proBNP test. Used in conjunction with clinical assessment, the NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide) test is a useful biomarker in the diagnosis and management of patients with heart failure. The new test expands Alere’s point-of-care Triage cardiovascular testing solutions.

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics has developed a fully automated sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) immunoassay for testing plasma or serum samples on its ADVIA Centaur platform. A free prostate-specific antigen (fPSA) assay for use on the ADVIA Centaur and ADVIA Centaur XP systems is also now available.

The Acusera range of quality control (QC) sera from Randox currently covers over 290 parameters and is set to expand. Quality control from Randox guarantees outstanding performance and ensures results are of the highest quality and reliability. New quality controls from Randox include: Coagulation, Maternal Screening, Clinical Chemistry Premium, Immunoassay Premium, Immunoassay Premium Plus, Immunoassay Speciality I, Immunoassay Speciality II, Tumour Markers, HbA1c, HbA1c Linearity Set, and Thalassaemia.

The new Eppendorf Xplorer redefines standards for simplicity, precision and ergonomic handling in electronic pipetting. Winner of a product design award, the Eppendorf Xplorer features an innovative and intuitive operating concept. With precisely adjustable parameters and full control over pipetting processes, the Xplorer delivers maximum reproducibility of results.

Brady’s extensive range of labelling products provides simple, effective and affordable solutions to ensure that laboratory samples can be identified and tracked, even after exposure to extreme temperatures or aggressive solvents. Developed to provide effective long-term adhesion in a variety of harsh environments – including liquid nitrogen, autoclaving, xylene and other chemicals – Brady labelling systems offer a wide choice of options to suit virtually any application.

The Techne TC-Plus thermal cycler, with one of the fastest aluminium blocks on the market, can contribute to significant reductions in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) processing times by using faster ramp rates, modified programs and modified reaction mixes.

Within the first year of acquiring the clinical chemistry business from Olympus, the expanded Beckman Coulter can now offer UK laboratories a small-footprint automation solution that links the highest throughput clinical chemistry and immunoassay systems on the market. The AU Powercel automation platform makes it possible to connect the AU chemistry analyser and the DxI immunoassay system, with parallel processing of samples from a single entry point. Additional AU or DxI analysers can be added as required.

The GLE-UVSC UV sterilisation cabinet from Scie-Plas is an essential item for every molecular biology laboratory carrying out polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reactions. The cabinet provides decontamination of reagents and equipment before carrying out sensitive PCR reactions, particularly when amplifying DNA sequences that are either in limited supply or of low copy number.

Phenomenex has introduced Clarity Oligo-MS columns for rapid and efficient LC/MS characterisation and quality control of synthetic RNA and DNA. Based on the company’s core-shell particle technology, the new C18 columns deliver significantly shorter run times than traditional media, along with increased resolution and sensitivity. With the high resolving power of Clarity Oligo-MS, impurities in complex synthetic mixtures can be separated from the peak of interest in less than 10 minutes.

Olympus has introduced its new cellSens software for life science imaging applications. Consisting of three different packages, cellSens Entry, cellSens Standard and cellSens Dimension, all user requirements can be met with ease. Incorporating a user-definable interface, the imaging process can be personalised from start to finish.

Using a newly engineered direct drive mechanism, almost no load is too heavy for the Lab Companion SKC shakers, even at high speeds. A large selection of models is available based on platform size and stroke diameter. Programmable motion control, light-emitting diode (LED) displays, unbalanced load sensors, and self-protecting cut-off function make these shakers versatile and safe.

Invitech has announced the UK availability of NAC-PAC N30, a convenient, systematic approach to pre-analytical acid-fast bacilli (AFB) specimen processing. NAC-PAC improves recovery of positive AFB specimens (most notably mycobacteria) and helps to reduce the number of contaminated/reprocessed samples through rigid control of pH during pre-analytical processing. Laboratories can now benefit from its easy-to-use format that can improve recovery of mycobacteria, ensure fewer false-positive results, and increase diagnostic effectiveness.

The rubella virus is the cause of German measles, and infection in children results in a rash but is usually mild and of short duration. However, pregnant women who become infected are susceptible to a more serious condition that can lead to congenital rubella syndrome of the fetus. Thus, serological detection, especially for IgM antibody, is crucial for early intervention.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced the availability of the new Thermo Scientific Aspire protein A, protein G and IMAC cobalt chromatography tips. Aspire proteomic tips are 1-mL pipette tips embedded with various Thermo Scientific Pierce resins, including immobilised Protein A Plus, Protein G Plus, and HisPur cobalt resins.

Carl Zeiss has launched a new multidiscussion system for its Axio Scope and Axio Imager light microscopes. This enables up to 21 observers to view the same object microscopically at the same time. The image generated under the microscope is seen by all observers with an identical image orientation in a 23 mm field of view. The co-observation system is suitable for training and consultation situations, and can be used, for example, in the training of students and for consultation purposes and the joint assessment of difficult cases in medical diagnostics.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched its new cold disinfection feature for laboratory equipment. The cold disinfection technology is now a standard feature on the company’s Microm HM550 cryostat series, and the system instantly disinfects the entire cold cryo-chamber in just three minutes, dramatically reducing any risk to laboratory staff.

The Protein ScreenTape platform from Lab901 can now monitor monoclonal antibody production on line. With its rapid staining protocol and automated sample handling, electrophoresis and data presentation, the Protein ScreenTape platform can deliver information on yield, purity and molecular weight within a few minutes. Samples can be analysed directly from the bioreactor with no need to purify or filter the medium. Analysis of media containing high levels of serum is also possible using ScreenTape. www.lab901.com

The next-generation TM3000 tabletop scanning electron microscope (SEM) has been launched by Hitachi High-Technologies. Building on the success of its predecessor, the TM-1000, the new microscope offers significantly improved performance in a unit that occupies 20% less space and has an energy saving design.