RECENT NEWS

Researchers from the UK and USA are working together to investigate the genetic underpinnings of cancer in the human genome. The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and Applied Biosystems are sequencing a cancer genome and normal DNA from the same individual to detect and characterise the genetic changes that occur during the development of the disease.

Oxoid has announced the winners of the 2007/2008 Oxoid Infection Control Team of the Year Awards as Worcester Acute NHS Trust, UK (First Prize), East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust, UK (Second Prize), and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK (Third Prize).

The National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Rome, the main beneficiary of a European Commission project entitled European Training in Infectious Disease Emergencies (ETIDE), has invited interest in its training courses from specialists in the field.

In March, NHS Connecting for Health appointed Dr Gifford Batstone as national clinical lead (NCL) for pathology. Dr Batstone studied medicine at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, before training in pathology in Bristol and Southampton. He has been involved in the implementation of Department of Health initiatives in clinical audit, medical education and information technology.

The National Health Service Retirement Fellowship has nearly 200 branches throughout the UK to help and encourage members in the pursuit of an exciting range of interests and activities, while at the same time providing many social events at which existing friendships are maintained and new ones formed.

The BUPA Foundation awards include one that recognises outstanding contributions to patient safety from individuals or teams.

The Committee on Publication Ethics has now been entered in the Central Register of Charities (registered No 1123023) and hence has achieved charity status.

A total of €12 million (nearly £9.5 million) has been invested by the European Commission in a new pan-European partnership that will design an advanced diagnostic tool for the detection and control of coeliac disease.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has published a consultation document on ways to improve the environment and health of children and young people in the UK.

Doris-Ann Williams, director-general of the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA), commented recently on the government’s proposals for so-called health MoTs.

Two University of Ulster academics have won prestigious awards in recognition of their cutting-edge research into diabetes.

In response to enquiries from its members, the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology (AAPT) has drawn up guidelines covering the involvement of anatomical pathology technologists (APTs) in post-mortem examinations on friends or relatives.

The Wellcome Trust has announced a £30 million partnership between the private, public and charitable sectors to offer much-needed training to science teachers.

The Health Professions Council (HPC) has launched a three-month consultation to invite stakeholders for their views on its proposed fees increase for 2009.

Labcold has published the new edition of its everpopular catalogue. The essential guide provides full information on Labcold products, as well as details on all new ranges, plus improved specifications and designs.

Eppendorf’s customers in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland benefit from fast delivery times and the very highest standard of professional aftersales service from some of the largest and best-known local distributors. Eppendorf UK has added to its portfolio of distributors in Ireland, with Fisher Scientific Ireland joining AGB Scientific (a VWR International company), Unitech and Davidson Hardy as an approved service partner.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) expert Dr David Whitehouse will chair EuroSciCon’s PCR perfection: insider tricks meeting, which will be held on 3 October at BioPark, Hertfordshire. Dr Whitehouse is an experienced academic and commercial scientist with more than 20 years’ research experience in the university sector, mostly with the MRC Human Biochemical Genetics Unit at University College London (UCL).

Roche Diagnostics has announced the global launch of enhanced software (Version 7.0) for its flagship cobas b 221 blood gas analyser system. The cobas b 221 is a desktop device designed for critical care and provides blood gas analysis, measurement of the most important electrolytes, and glucose, lactate, urea, bilirubin and haemoglobin derivatives.

Anachem has launched a completely new website (www.anachem.co.uk) as the result of customer feedback. Numerous enhancements have been made to the site, including a more effective search engine, easy online catalogue navigation and improved online ordering functionality.

Siemens’ latest marketing campaign has hit the road and involves three London taxi cabs, each branded to represent three of the key sectors (ie healthcare, industry and energy) in which Siemens operates. The ‘Answers for life’ campaign is designed to promote Siemens as a company and how it can help answer life’s complicated questions.