RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

Legionella-related deaths continue to hit the headlines around the world, with recent cases linked to shower heads, hot tubs and cooling waters. With water monitoring playing an important role in controlling Legionella, Lab M’s BCYE (buffered charcoal yeast extract) Legionella Isolation Medium is finding increasing application.

The recently relaunched Selectra Junior extends the excellent reputation of the Selectra family. Vital Scientific (an Elitech Group company) has created a proven platform to run tests in a convenient and cost-effective way.

The new MSP Model 5000 FlowCytoPrep sample preparation system (5000 FCP SPS), now available from Copley Scientific, is a revolutionary biological sample preparation system that automates the laborious and time-consuming manual steps of flow cytometry.

Agilent Technologies has introduced the latest version of its Agilent DNA microarray scanner. It employs SureScan high-resolution technology to deliver rapid scan times for current and nextgeneration microarrays.

Two ready-to-use microRNA (miRNA) assay technologies have been introduced by Qiagen. The two new products, miScript miRNA Mimics and miScript miRNA Inhibitors, are ready-totransfect items for use in gene regulation and cellular pathway analysis.

Shimadzu has introduced the Prominence nano, a high-performance liquid chromatograph (LC) that supports high-precision gradient analysis. Prominence nano delivers exact flow rates via two LC-20AD nano pumps that are controlled independently by feedback from integrated high-precision nano flow sensors.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits from Randox offer drug residue screening on a fast and simple basis, and provide reliable results.

Ocean Optics has developed a family of modular optical sensing instruments easily adaptable for the field, laboratory or process environments.

Applied Biosystems has announced the worldwide availability of new gene expression analysis tools that claim added flexibility and greater efficiency in performing experiments that identify and quantify key genes in biological samples. The TaqMan Express plates are 96-well reaction plates containing dried-down versions of more than 50,000 Applied Biosystems’ TaqMan gene expression assays, in customised sets.

Bio-Diagnostics has released a new generation of GBM, PR3 and MPO QuickCards in its autoimmune range.

Ipsogen, a company that markets molecular diagnostics assays for leukaemia, has launched MapQuant DxT Genomic Grade. The new assay is a molecular diagnostic test for breast tumour grade, which is an indicator of tumour proliferation, metastasis risk and response to chemotherapy.

Q Chip has launched ReaX MDx enhanced polymerase chain reaction (PCR) beads for molecular diagnostics. ReaX MDx beads provide a complete assay in an easy-to-use format. This simplifies workflow and eliminates the need for temperaturecontrolled logistics.

The 4seal variable-temperature thermal sealer, available from Anachem, is a low- to mediumthroughput manual heat sealer. It is compatible with a wide range of seals and plates of differing heights with the appropriate plate adapter.

Carl Zeiss is now offering the HDR (high dynamic range) image-acquisition software module for the AxioVision 4.7 analysis program. This enables a camera’s dynamic range to be expanded in order to create high-contrast images. Thus, applications in the life sciences (eg fluorescence microscopy) will benefit from improved image quality.

Menarini Diagnostics has expanded its urinalysis product range with the launch of a revolutionary automated microscopy analyser. Designed with input from clinical and laboratory urinalysis experts, the sediMAX takes automated urine microscopy to a level of analysis not seen previously.

Oxoid has launched improved M.I.C.Evaluator (M.I.C.E.) strips, which provide accurate determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. The new distinctive gradient format provides excellent contrast against the agar background and the increased font size permits easier reading.

Oxford Expression Technologies (OET) has introduced titrePLUS, a combined expression and titration package that harnesses the simplicity and flexibility of the efficient flashBAC expression system with the ease and speed of baculoQUANT titration.

GRI, an independent supplier of molecular biology solutions, can now supply KAPA SYBR FAST qPCR kits from Kapa Biosystems, which contain the first DNA polymerase evolved for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodology.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched the new Thermo Scientific Helios Zeta double-beam and Helios Omega single-beam UV-Visible spectrophotometers. Designed for research, routine quality control and teaching, these costeffective instruments offer excellent throughput and affordable analysis of liquid and solid samples.

Capable of detecting Salmonella species within 24 hours, modified semi-solid Rappaport Vassiliadis (MSRV) medium is one of a range of products from Lab M devoted to the detection and isolation of these organisms. The medium offers a simple and rapid means of detecting motile strains of Salmonella, even if they are outnumbered by competitive bacteria by a factor of 107.