RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

The MDx Idylla platform from Biocartis is a fully automated sample-to-result, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system that offers accurate, highly reliable molecular information from virtually any biological sample in virtually any setting.

The latest developments in Sterilab’s urinalysis product portfolio include the latest software version of the Urilyzer 100 Pro with new connectivity capability, Urilyzer SED – automating the gold standard in urine sediment microscopy, and Urilyzer 500 – a new high-throughput test strip analyser.

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group has expanded its range of peristaltic cased pumps for upstream and downstream bioprocessing tasks. The existing 120 and 530 models are now joined by the 630 and 730 higher flow pumps, ensuring that users looking to upscale research projects or production can do so without changing or impacting the process.

Hologic has announced that its Aptim Combo 2 assay for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae has received new CE-marked claims in Europe. These additional claims permit testing of both clinician- and patient-collected throat and rectal swabs.

Abbott has announcing the availability of two haematology solutions that equip customers with the facilities to do more with less. The CP3000 fully automated coagulation system and Alinity hq analyser are the first of a family of next-generation haematology instruments designed to address the space and productivity challenges of today’s high-volume laboratories. These instruments are fully‐automated and eliminate the need for manual processes that can get in the way of speed and efficiency, and the units are scalable to meet evolving growth and volume needs.

The IMMY CrAg LFA (cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay) is the first immunochromatographic dipstick assay for the qualitative and semiquantitative detection of the cryptococcal capsular antigen in serum, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Available exclusively in the UK from Alpha Laboratories, it has revolutionised cryptococcal antigen testing, with excellent sensitivity across all serotypes of Cryptococcus. CrAg LFA can detect all four CrAg serotypes, with improved sensitivity for Cryptococcus gattii infections (serotype C).

Tecan is helping to reduce waiting times for bulk sample identification with an innovative high-speed barcode scanner for its Fluent Laboratory Automation Solution. The new Fluent ID* module eliminates the need to watch and wait while the liquid-handling platform scans and identifies each sample tube, allowing 32 barcoded samples to be loaded and identified in just three seconds.

Dengue virus is endemic in tropical countries worldwide. Mosquito-borne, the infection manifests as dengue fever, but can progress to more serious conditions including haemorrhagic fever. There are four serotypes of the virus and all are capable of causing disease. A non-structural glycoprotein (NS1) is produced during acute infection and can be found at high levels in patient serum.

β-lactamase enzymes inactivate β-lactam antibiotics and render them ineffective for the treatment of clinically important Gram-negative bacterial infections. Now, two new kits from Streck, available in the UK from Alpha Laboratories, provide a comprehensive, cost-effective molecular method to detect the most clinically important β-lactamases that confer resistance to penicillins, cephamycins and, in some cases, carbapenems.

Combining user comfort with bright, uniform illumination, the CX43 and CX33 microscopes from Olympus are optimised for long periods of routine observation. In the design of the microscopes, frequently-used controls have been lowered, allowing a more natural position for the user’s arms during operation.

Biotechnology company Retrogenix has enhanced its cell microarray technology to enable specificity screening of whole chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. The advance helps to address the need for tools to assist with the safety assessment of new cancer immunotherapies.

Synbiosis has announced that its Chromogenic ID software for use with Synbiosis colony counters now has a validated module for automatic identification of bacteria and yeasts on ThermoFisher Scientific’s Oxoid Chromogenic media. Using this software allows microbiologists to identify microbes cultured on the world’s most commonly used media rapidly and accurately.

The SteriMax Smart steriliser from WLD-TEC is suitable for all laboratories, anaerobic environments and safety cabinets. This steriliser uses specifically focused infrared (IR) light which generates a hotspot for sterilising inoculating loops at a temperature of 750°C to 1000°C in only 5–10 seconds immediately, without preheating.

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group has unveiled the innovative Quantum peristaltic pump with its patented ReNu single-use (SU) technology cartridge. Quantum aims to set the standard for high-pressure feed pumps in SU tangential flow filtration (TFF), virus filtration (VF) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences continues to expand the multi-parameter capabilities of its CytoFLEX flow cytometer technology. Its latest model, the CytoFLEX LX, with up to six lasers and 21 fluorescence channels, delivers more parameters with the same fluorescence sensitivity and nanoparticle detection demanded by high-end researchers. The CytoFLEX flow cytometer was introduced two years ago and now offers 47 configurations through one of three series of systems: CytoFLEX, CytoFLEX S, and now the CytoFLEX LX.

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.