RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

It is estimated that there were 4.3 million new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 2006 and half a million of these were children under 15 years old. Around 40 million people worldwide are now living with HIV/AIDS, so early detection and treatment of HIV-1 and -2 remains critical in improving survival rates and reducing transmission, especially to the unborn child.

Stuart, the benchtop equipment brand from Barloworld Scientific, has updated its popular shaker incubator range with a versatile new model packed with useful features.

Rapid Sample Processing offers a complete system for clearing lipaemic samples.

The camSonix range of ultrasonic baths from Camlab offers 13 models, from 0.8 L to 90 L, providing solutions for almost any laboratory or medical application.

Preston-based Image Solutions has launched the personalDV system to provide highresolution fixed- and live-cell imaging in a single integrated bench-top format.

Convenient-to-use new 60 mL prefilled formalin pots are available now from Surgipath Europe. Easy to recap with an exclusive seal, the pots are filled with high-quality formalin under cleanroom conditions.

Carl Zeiss has overcome the challenge of imaging deep inside living tissues with the launch of the LSM 5 MP multiphoton laser scanning microscope.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has developed a special polymerase chain reaction (PCR) buffer that enables samples to be loaded directly on an agarose gel after thermal cycling, thereby reducing the number of pipetting and reagent handling steps in PCR testing protocols.

The ISS Group has announced the availability of RMCÆs family of electron microscopy (EM) sample preparation products. The line includes microtomes, ultramicrotomes, cryosectioning systems, automatic EM tissue processors, glass knife makers, propane jet freezers, freeze fracture systems, freeze substitution systems, freeze dryer systems and a wide range of associated accessories.

A completely integrated hands-off system for managing, observing and recording the growth of cells in culture has been launched by Nikon Instruments. By combining the precise environmental control capabilities of a high-performance CO2 incubator with the advanced optics needed for drift-free live-cell imaging, the BioStation CT removes the need for culture dishes to be transported from one location to another for observation.

Research has focused increasingly on the detection and functional characterisation of microRNAs (miRNAs). Leading the way in this exciting field, QIAGEN has added to its miRNA portfolio with the introduction of the miScript system, which detects and quantifies miRNA, mRNA and other small RNAs using the SYBR Green-based realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Olympus has introduced the updated dotSlide digital virtual microscopy system, which scans entire slides at high resolution and fidelity, making them accessible and fully navigable anywhere around the world.

Beckman Coulter has introduced two additions to its line of cell signal transduction reagents û Phospho- MAPKAPK-2 and Phospho-STAT3 kinase antibodies.

The risks of crosscontamination during thawing of frozen plasma are well known to transfusion scientists. This can be a particular concern when using traditional wet methods such as water baths, and some of the newer thawing methods introduced have either taken unacceptably long or have run the risk of overheating the plasma, with potentially disastrous consequences.

Invitrogen has launched the Dynabeads M-270 immunoassay (carboxyl) from Dynal, developed to provide precise immobilisation of antigens such as proteins, peptides, steroids and hormones for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) magnetic bead-based immunoassay applications. The antigens are coupled directly or via a cross-linker to carboxylic acid groups on the new 2.8 micron Dynabeads.

Beckman Coulter has introduced two additions to its line of cell signal transduction reagents û Phospho- MAPKAPK-2 and Phospho-STAT3 kinase antibodies.

Research has focused increasingly on the detection and functional characterisation of microRNAs (miRNAs).

The new Variant Reporter software from Applied Biosystems accelerates sequence data analysis in biomedical research by automating the detection of genetic variants and streamlining the analysis process.

Invitrogen has launched the Dynabeads M-270 immunoassay (carboxyl) from Dynal, developed to provide precise immobilisation of antigens such as proteins, peptides, steroids and hormones for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) magnetic bead-based immunoassay applications.

Preston-based Image Solutions has launched the personalDV system to provide highresolution fixed- and live-cell imaging in a single integrated bench-top format.