RECENT NEWS

Two RTS Life Science automated robotic systems, incorporating machine vision, are now running at UK BiobankÆs coordinating centre in South Manchester, and a third is due to be commissioned. RTS was responsible for the concept, design, manufacture, installation and commissioning process. Teams from UK Biobank and RTS worked closely together for two years on this successful programme.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has developed an interactive web-based tool designed to help current and prospective customers make informed decisions about Thermo Scientific informatics software.

For the second year running, Torbay HospitalÆs haematology laboratory has proved to be the best-performing department in the UK for plasma viscosity (PV). Each year, the laboratory processes around 30,000 PV tests, and every month the standards are quality-assured and benchmarked against results from around 50 laboratories across the country.

After a rigorous procurement process, public sector recruitment specialist Maxxima has been awarded master vendor status for the supply of temporary allied health professionals (AHPs) and health science service (HSS) staff to NHS organisations throughout the East Midlands region.

Don Whitley Scientific (DWS) has expanded its UKAS-accredited calibration service to include individual temperature probes with sensors or recorders, in addition to laboratory autoclaves, media preparators, ovens, environmental chambers and water baths.

The 16th Nikon digital imaging seminar was held at the Institute of Physics in London recently. A wide selection of NikonÆs latest technology, including the revolutionary BioStation IM and the groundbreaking AZ100, was available for use during practical sessions.

The Gilson Product Guide 2007, a free comprehensive brochure containing GilsonÆs entire product listing of automated purification instruments, is now available from Anachem.

A number of life science meetings are being arranged for this autumn by EuroSciCon, the life science communications company.

Clinical diagnostics supplier Helena Biosciences recently appointed a new product specialist in its clinical electrophoresis division. Gemma Snowdon (pictured) takes up this new role at an important time.

Two RTS Life Science automated robotic systems, incorporating machine vision, are now running at UK BiobankÆs coordinating centre in South Manchester, and a third is due to be commissioned.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has developed an interactive web-based tool designed to help current and prospective customers make informed decisions about Thermo Scientific informatics software.

Helena Biosciences has celebrated the delivery of its 2000th SAS instrument in Europe. The SAS instrument range is one of the most popular diagnostic electrophoresis solutions in laboratories around the world.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched its information-rich Environmental Resource Center for trace element analysis, which is the most recent addition to its extensive online collection.

Don Whitley Scientific (DWS) has despatched 21 miniMACS to a customer in China. Not quite æcoals to NewcastleÆ but supplying goods engineered and manufactured in the UK to the orient is a rare occurrence these days.

Over 130 delegates from hospitals around the UK attended two one-day seminars held recently by Sebia UK at Studley Castle.

Orion Locums has announced its acquisition of Atlantis Medical.

Lambda Advanced Technology (LAT) is offering organisations in the UK the use of a scanning electron microscope for a day at no charge.

An innovative antimicrobial technology has been announced that claims to be able to defeat hospital- and community-acquired infections, including those caused by Clostridium difficile and PVL toxin-bearing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains.

Two new ADVIA 2120 haematology systems are being supplied to Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester by Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics as part of a major laboratory equipment procurement contract covering haematology, chemistry and immunodiagnostics.

Asynt now distributes the Porvair Sciences range of microplates and microplate accessories.