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RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

Quantitative PCR for screening applications

Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) has added additional flexibility to its PrimeTime quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) product. Users can now customise the Standard and XL qPCR assays by specifying the dye and quencher pair used on the probe and the ratio of primer to probe.

Advanced and user-friendly confocal imaging

The new Olympus FluoView FV10i confocal laser scanning microscope system brings a new level of accessibility to confocal microscopy. Designed to remove all the complex steps involved in setting-up and using confocal microscopes, the system ensures that users can concentrate on the images and data without the need for prior expertise.

Connective tissue disease screening

Phadia, a leader in allergy and autoimmunity testing, has launched an innovative new antinuclear antibody (ANA) screen for the identification of connective tissue diseases (CTDs). The EliA ANA CTD Screen provides reliable and unambiguous detection of a wide range of CTDs, offering superior specificity and sensitivity to HEp-2-based assays, even in difficult cases.

HbA1c testing aids tight blood glucose control

Diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease that impacts upon almost every aspect of life. It is caused by a deficiency, inherited and/or acquired, in production of insulin by the pancreas (type 1), or by resistance to the insulin produced (type 2). As a major non-communicable disease, diabetes mellitus claims on average around 8% of total health budgets in developed countries.

High-quality in vitro fertilisation consumables

Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced availability of the new Thermo Scientific Nunc IVF centrifuge and cryopreservation tubes for improved sample safety and protection. These consumables are certified free of toxins that would impair viability during the centrifugation and cryogenic freezing processes. Thoroughly tested against the highest available standards, the Nunc IVF consumables range ensures safety and reproducibility for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedures.

Live-cell imaging and analysis

Chip-Man Technologies has launched the Cell-IQ 2 live-cell imaging and analysis system. This innovative platform builds on the success of the original Cell-IQ system, offering fully automated imaging and analysis for the study of live cell behaviour in an optimised and stable environment.

Tissue cassette labels

Brady offers a special labelling system that guarantees accurate identification of tissue samples. Specially developed chemical-resistant labels incorporating two-dimensional (2D) barcoding enable histopathology and anatomic pathology laboratories to comply with traceability demands issued by the EU.

Large-scale laboratory testing

Roche Diagnostics has launched the cobas 8000, designed to fill the gap in the UK for large-scale, high-speed in vitro diagnostic (IVD) testing. The ability to perform large-scale testing is increasingly important if the UK is to realise the model for pathology services focusing on service consolidation, as set out in Lord Carter’s review of pathology.

Cooled CCD digital camera

The DS-Fi1c is the latest addition to Nikon’s Digital Sight series of cameras. Featuring a high-definition cooled colour camera head and the latest optical technology, the DS-Fi1c is ideal for brightfield and fluorescence applications. An optimal microscopy digital imaging system can be configured for any bioscience application, from documentation to advanced image processing and analysis.

Freedom from filters

Ever been frustrated about not having the correct filter for your assay application? If so, the Biochrom Asys UVM340 could future-proof your laboratory. This monochromator-based plate reader puts you in control of selecting the exact wavelength to measure absorbance, between 340 nm and 800 nm at 1 nm intervals. It is ideal for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and other applications.

Diagnostic screening for monoclonal gammopathy

A recent report recommends simplification of the plasma cell dyscrasia diagnostic algorithm mentioned in current International Myeloma Working Group guidelines, indicating that only serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and Freelite free light chain (FLC) tests may be needed in many cases.

Diagnosis and management of active H. pylori infection

Oxoid has improved its RAPID Hp StART test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori antigen in stool samples. The test now delivers improved sensitivity and specificity, thus enhancing overall performance. RAPID Hp StAR is a rapid immunochromatographic membrane-based assay that provides reliable results in just 15 minutes, without the need for special equipment. The speed and simplicity of this method make it suitable for small-volume testing in the laboratory, or for near-patient testing in gastroenterology clinics and doctors' surgeries. Such convenience is ideal for monitoring the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment without the need for return hospital visits.

Flow cytometry of intracellular markers

A collaboration between Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and global medical technology company Becton Dickinson (BD) has yielded a product that can simplify the process of identifying cancer cells. BD Intrasure allows scientists to study intracellular markers by flow cytometry, a technique commonly used in the research of leukaemia and lymphoma.

Highly sensitive troponin T assay

Roche has announce the launch of the Elecsys Troponin T high-sensitive (TnT hs) assay for use on cobas and MODULAR Analytics serum work areas in the UK and Ireland. This highly sensitive diagnostic assay has been developed to improve the detection and exclusion of myocardial injury in the early stages, demonstrating excellent precision in the range 0.003–10 ng/mL troponin T in serum or plasma, and to help identify risk of future coronary events.

Biochip array technology system

The Evidence Investigator is a sophisticated biochip system designed for research, veterinary, clinical and forensic applications with an impressive 54 samples analysed per run.

Personalised tube labels online

Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), the world leader in oligonucleotide synthesis, has introduced Custom Label Design, an online label design tool that allows customers to tailor the information provided on their labels, making it easier for them to locate their oligonucleotide probes.

Improved assessment of chronic kidney disease

Hospital laboratories rely on the Roche enzymatic creatinine assay for specific and reliable results The Roche Creatinine Plus assay, for use with cobas or MODULAR Analytics analysers, offers a specific and accurate alternative to the less-specific Jaffé method, ensuring clinically more reliable results in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Expanded microscope functionality

Olympus has introduced the exciting new LightManager module for its BX41 and BX51 upright microscopes. The highly intuitive Olympus LightManager can be retrofitted and enables the user to set the desired illumination intensities for each objective and technique in use. This ensures more efficient control over objectives and illumination, providing excellent imaging results.

Syringe filter developments

As part of the development of the KX+ brand, Kinesis has announced the launch of KX+ syringe filters. A premium-quality range, KX+ syringe filters are available in a wide choice of membrane, pore size and format to address all common filtration applications.

Chromogenic Salmonella medium

Part of Lab M’s extensive range of products for the isolation and identification of Salmonella species, Harlequin Salmonella ABC is a chromogenic medium suitable for culturing organisms from clinical and food samples. This medium differentiates Salmonella spp. from other members of the Enterobacteriaciae by their ability to produce alpha-galactosidase in the absence of beta-galactosidase, using a dual chromogen system for visualisation.

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