RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

Mast Group has introduced the latest in vitro diagnostics (IVD) solutions from Seegene, a developer of multiplex IVD products. A revolution in real-time PCR, Allplex enables high-capacity multiplexing with quantitative reporting.

Advanced Instruments has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its GloCyte Automated Cell Counter System and GloCyte Low and High Level Controls. The GloCyte is now available for the UK market from Vitech Scientific.

Chlamydia pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium that infects humans, commonly causing pharyngitis, bronchitis and atypical pneumonia. It is also implicated in causing coronary artery disease. It is an obligate intracellular pathogen whose resistant elementary body (EB) form exists between human and animal hosts. As such, cell culture is required to isolate the microorganism.

Particle Works, the nano- and micro-structured material specialist, has developed a range of alginate and agarose hydrogel beads designed to enable three-dimensional (3D) cell culture growth. This bead-based environment more closely mimics in vivo conditions, providing greater access to nutrients and allowing better cell-cell interactions.

Olympus has updated its cellSens imaging software, which now provides cost-effective solutions by expanding the capabilities of manual microscopes; fast, detailed, real-time panoramic imaging is now possible without an expensive motorised or encoded stage thanks to the Instant Multiple Image Alignment (Instant MIA) function.

Air Science's new Purair FLOW series laminar-flow cabinets are designed to protect the work surface, products and materials from particulate contamination. Room air first passes through a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter then uniformly through the cabinet interior by laminar flow to protect work from unfiltered air. Airflow is oriented to exhaust airborne particulates introduced by the user.

Arcis Biotechnology, the nucleic acid sample preparation solution provider, has launched its Arcis DNA Blood Kit (IVD) for preparation of DNA from blood using a three-minute, two-step system, designed for in vitro diagnostic use. The new kit is sold in a ready-to-use format, and enables users to stabilise and extract nucleic acid from fresh or frozen whole blood samples in just three minutes, without the need for prior sample preparation steps.

Oxford Gene Technology has expanded its range of Cytocell Aquarius fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) probes for pathology. OGT has introduced three new probes, FUS Breakapart and FOXO1 Breakapart, both carrying the CE-IVD label, and TFE3 Breakapart, for research use only. This expansion reinforces OGT’s commitment to providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date range available, facilitating cancer research and diagnosis.

Helping to save time and increase comfort at the microscope, Olympus’ new DP74 camera for brightfield and fluorescence delivers intelligent imaging with a range of innovative features designed to facilitate workflow. Features include a Position Navigator to automatically track the position on the sample, a time-saving anti-whiteout function, and noise reduction for low-light fluorescence signals. These capabilities help to push the boundaries of any microscope, making the DP74 a truly enabling camera, highly suited both for research and routine use.

Beckman Coulter announces significant investment in UK microbiology market with DxN VERIS Molecular Diagnostics and MicroScan Microbiology Systems. Automated, walkaway solutions standardise and streamline the path to accurate therapeutic diagnoses, benefitting both laboratories and patients

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences has launched ClearLLab LS Lymphoid Screen Reagent, Europe’s first CE-marked 10-colour, 12-antibody reagent combination for leukaemia and lymphoma analysis. The ClearLLab LS Lymphoid Screen eliminates 14 manual workflow steps, while streamlining five others; and is available through a dry unitised, ready-to-use formulation. ClearLLab has been designed specifically for the fast and accurate identification of haematolymphoid cell populations on the company’s Navios flow cytometer.

Hologic’s Panther system consolidates a broad menu on a single, fully automated, random-access platform. It offers tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), hepatitis C virus (HCV) hepatitis B virus (HBV) and sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia, gonorrhoea (pictured, immunofluorescence), human papillomavirus (HPV), Mycoplasma genitalium or trichomoniasis, in parallel.

For the first time, users can cap and decap Thermo Scientific Matrix and Nunc automation tubes without using multiple pieces of equipment. Historically, users have stored biological samples in multiple tube types, requiring them to buy multiple decappers. The new decapper system does the work of multiple systems and features Quick Switch technology that seamlessly transitions between different tube and rack types.

Now available from Martindale Electric is the new Legionella testing thermometer kit, which quickly and reliably tests and monitors water temperature and conditions that can favour the growth of Legionella and other harmful bacteria. Carrying a risk of infection, such as Legionnaires’ disease, Legionella bacteria are found commonly in installations such as cooling towers and air conditioning and industrial cooling systems in larger buildings such as hospitals.

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences has launched ClearLLab LS Lymphoid Screen Reagent, Europe’s first CE-marked 10-colour, 12-antibody reagent combination for leukaemia and lymphoma analysis.

The new sediMAX conTRUST analyser from Menarini utilises phase contrast and brightfield microscopy. Offering a throughput of 120 samples per hour, irrespective of sample quality, the sediMAX conTRUST is claimed to be the fastest urine processor available.

Beckman Coulter’s microbiology portfolio includes the DxN VERIS Molecular System, a true time-saving random-access analyser that enhances productivity through flexible Lean workflow and consolidated extraction, amplification and detection.

Biochrom has a long history of manufacturing quality scientific instruments for a wide range of applications in the clinical, life science and industrial market. It has now released two new products to the WPA visible spectrophotometer range, the WPA S800+ and S1200+ spectrophotometers.

The LIAISON Helicobacter Antigen assay offers a fully automated solution for the rapid detection in stool samples of H. pylori antigen from this spiral-shaped microorganism that commonly populates the mucus found in the stomach.

Automation systems are becoming more common in microbiology. The SIRscan is one modular part of the automation solution available from i2a (Pro-Lab Diagnostics) which now includes specimen handling, plate sorting and streaking, incubation, interpretation and identification.