RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is found on the skin of many adults and does not usually cause disease. However, when passed to infants at birth, GBS can cause severe disease that can be fatal. This makes it a leading cause of infections in newborns. Fortunately, antibiotic treatment during delivery can protect the baby, and now ViroStat has released a new rabbit monoclonal antibody specific to GBS

Mast Group has announced its new CRYOBANK, which is based on a cryovial system that comprises chemically treated beads covered with a special cryogenic preserving solution. CRYOBANK offers a reliable, convenient and versatile system for storing and preserving fastidious bacteria for long periods. CRYOBANK permits the easy establishment of a culture collection for laboratory accreditation or research purposes.

Syngene has introduced its new GeneGnome XRQ, a dedicated chemiluminescence imaging system designed to image chemiluminescent Western blots rapidly and accurately. The new blue GeneGnome XRQ houses a high-quality F/0.95 fixed focus, cooled camera with on chip integration and GeneSys software, all packed into a light-tight darkroom.

Next-generation collagen producer Jellagen has developed a new kit for cell culture and tissue engineering researchers to enable them to easily create 3D cell scaffolds. The new Jellagen 3D Hydrogel kit includes everything required to make 3D scaffolds and other matrices for a wide range of cell lines.

New from the Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG) is the Flexicon PF7 peristaltic tabletop aseptic liquid filling machine optimised for operation in GMP-regulated areas such as biotechnology and diagnostics. Engineered with Flexicon’s trademark precision performance, the PF7 adds a more intuitive, validation-friendly operator interface to reduce the risk of costly filling errors.

Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) types 1 and 2 cause both oral and genital infections. The resulting skin blisters are painful and can last two or more weeks before healing. These viruses lay dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate, causing a return of blisters. Infection lasts a lifetime and currently there is no cure.

EKF Diagnostics has launched POC Connect, a data management smartphone application for its DiaSpect Tm haemoglobin analyser. Lightweight and palm-sized, the DiaSpect Tm delivers laboratory quality haemoglobin results within two seconds at the point of care (POC). With the availability of POC Connect, this makes it ideal for mobile health checks and anaemia screening in a range of locations, environments and climatic conditions.

GE Healthcare has introduced the first in its VIA Thaw series, the VIA Thaw CB1000 for thawing large volumes of cell therapies cryopreserved in cryo-bags. This range of automated dry thawing units provides users with control over the thawing of sensitive therapies, and addresses key challenges faced by cell therapy companies.

Syngene has introduced the G:BOX mini, a compact, upgradable, multi-application system for all types of gel and Western blot imaging. Featuring a motorised stage, high-performance camera and the option to add high-intensity light-emitting diode (HI-LED) lighting, this system offers the ideal solution for laboratories that need application flexibility without compromising on accuracy.

Stago UK continues to expand the range and functionality of its Max Generation series of haemostasis analysers with the STart Max, its latest semi-automated instrument. The redesigned system takes the robustness of its predecessor, the STart 4, and delivers greater functionality and practicality alongside a new, streamlined design in line with the current Max Generation family.

Stago has introduced the latest member of the Max Generation, the STA R Max2. This high-throughput system incorporates the Expert Pre-analytical Check (EPC), a special module to help detect haemolysis, icterus and lipaemia (HIL) interferences. The STA R Max2 also incorporates new single resolution pipettors (PSR) which improve precision and reduce hands-on maintenance time.

Vector Laboratories has introduced the VectaFluor Duet kit, which offers convenient, ready-to-use immunofluorescence double labelling. This new kit is ideal for use on a wide range of frozen and formalin-fixed, paraffin wax-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples, combining primary and secondary antibodies to streamline workflow. VectaFluor Duet includes a secondary reagent to detect mouse and rat primary antibodies with green and red DyLight fluorescent dyes and a normal blocking serum. With the kit, one protocol replaces several and reduces preparation time, in some cases by as much as a day or more.

ViroStat has just released a new set of monoclonal antibodies to the NS1 protein of the yellow fever virus. This protein appears early during the infection in the serum of those infected. These antibodies do not cross react with related flaviviruses.

Technidata UK provides, implements and supports a comprehensive portfolio of laboratory information management solutions (LIMS). The product range includes blood sciences, microbiology/serology, blood bank, histopathology/cytology, POCT, transplant, bio-bank and genetics modules.

Alpha Laboratories has a 40-year history of providing products that bring clinical patient benefits as well as functional and cost-saving improvements. Whether through routine blood analysis, specialist faecal immunochemical tests, calprotectin or microbiology assays, Alpha offers solutions and support to suit individual needs.

At the upcoming Congress event, Vitech Scientific will be showing some of the osmometers from the Advanced Instruments range, which will include the all-new multi-sample model, the OsmoPRO, launched earlier this year.

Mast is an independent manufacturer and supplier of diagnostic microbiology products for clinical testing. Mast’s Lean solution to the laborious process of urine microbiology is the Mast Uri System.

SUEZ Water UK has launched an innovative new laboratory system, designed to reduce operating costs for laboratory water purification systems. Developed as a standard benchtop unit, the new Select edi 60 combines double-pass reverse osmosis (RO) and electrodeionisation (EDI) technologies in a single compact system. This approach eliminates the need for conditioning cartridges and carbon dioxide pretreatment filters, reduces total dissolved solids (TDS) and offers significantly improved energy efficiency.

Veolia Water Technologies’ PURELAB Chorus range of laboratory water purifiers provides a scalable and versatile solution to all laboratory water requirements. Compact and high performing, the Chorus can be configured with state-of-the-art technologies to deliver the correct water quality where it is needed.

A new automated, high-performance cell washer enables precise, thorough, reproducible and rapid blood cell washing of up to 24 tubes in a three-minute run. Fully automated, the Thermo Scientific CW3 Cell Washer has been engineered to combine the benefits of efficient performance with user-friendly design and safe operation. Users can select one of the preset programs that have been designed to run in automatic mode, accelerate blood cell washing cycles and achieve significant time savings, while allowing for maximum ease of use and sample safety.