THE POTENTIAL for genetic sequencing to play a part in the preservation of endangered animal species has long been recognised, and is now becoming reality. Among the latest applications is the use of a GS Junior benchtop sequencing system from…
Low cost pH and ORP sensors
TRADITIONAL epoxy body electrodes and sensors are known for their durability, but many laboratories these days are keen to source lower-cost alternatives. Sensorex says it has provided just that with its new S150C and S151C-ORP 12mm pH/ORP (oxidation reduction potential)…
Portable spectroradiometer brings the lab to the field
COLLECTING data on radiometric and reflectance spectra of geological and other samples in the field – known as ground truth data – can be the only valid technique where unknown materials are involved and where the removal of samples to…
More efficient yeast protoplast production
AMSBIO has published details of an independent test which shows that its own lytic enzyme mix, called Zymolyase, demonstrated superior performance to Lyticase and Glusulase in the generation of yeast protoplasts. Zymolyase is an enzyme mix which digests the cells…
How to screen fish for Malachite Green
MALACHITE Green, also known as Aniline Green or Basic Green 4, is banned in foodstuffs in most western countries, including the USA and the UK. The compound is legitimately used as a dye in the tanning of leather, but is…
Protein incubator is vibration-free
A NEW range of chilling incubator which promises vibration-free operation to make it suitable for growing delicate protein crystals has been launched by Torrey Pines Scientific. The EchoTherm range consists of four models in two sizes, with capacities of 27.5…
3D cell culture made simple
A NEW system which promises to make consistent and reproducible 3D cell culture a simple procedure has been launched by Tap Biosystems. The new Raft system includes a custom microplate and heater together with reagents and a protocol to follow…
Chromatography vial made for lab automation
MADE of borosilicate glass in either clear or amber, the Ram Vial from JG Finneran is designed around the needs of laboratory automation systems. Its 12 x 32mm external dimensions are said to be optimum for robotic arm autosamplers to…
Scientific lasers hit 18W
WITH output powers of 12, 15, and 18 Watts, Coherent says its new Verdi G series of 532nm scientific grade lasers offer many advantages over earlier lower-power models. Despite their higher output, the new Verdi G12, Verdi G15, and Verdi…
Control unit manages microscope imaging
THE NEW DS-L3 touchscreen imaging unit from Nikon Instruments can control both a microscope and a camera, presenting images on its 8.4-inch display. The LCD touch panel has a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, to display images from the…
Camera head makes quality microscope images
THE LATEST offering in Nikon’s Digital Sight range of microscope cameras is the DS-Fi2, delivering 5 megapixel resolution (2560 x 1920 pixels) and frame rates up to 21 fps (frames per second) to film fast-moving microscopic events. This new camera…
Faster filling of petri dishes
A TIME saving of around 40% is claimed by Integra Biosciences for the new Turbo operational mode of its Mediajet automatic petri dish filler. Able to cope with up to 1100 petri dishes per hour, the Mediajet is also able…
Cartridges promise better Flash separations
CLAIMING 40% more surface area than alternative Flash silica cartridges, Biotage says its new Snap Ultra chromatography consumables deliver higher loading capacity and more efficient separations. The use of spherical particles instead if the more usual irregular shaped silica fragments…
Direct determination of CHN in filter residue
A PROTOCOL for the direct determination of total CHN (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen) in filter samples using the Model 440 elemental analyser has been published by Exeter Analytical. The company says using this technology to determine the percentage C, H, and…
How to image 3D cell cultures
A NEW white paper from Reinnervate provides helpful information on making the switch to 3D cell culture using the company’s Alvetex scaffold. The document covers a number of different approaches to the visualisation and growth of cells in 3D, as…
Gene fragments just got cheaper
A SIGNIFICANT reduction in the cost of synthetic gene synthesis is promised by Integrated DNA Technologies with its gBlocks gene fragments, now available. These double-stranded, sequence-verified genomic blocks of up to 500 base pairs are priced at just US$99 –…
First commercially-available parvovirus panel
SERACARE Life Sciences has launched five new infectious disease panels, including the first for parvovirus B19 which is associated with fifth disease. The other new products include panels for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitus A (HAV), hepatitus B (HBV), and cytomegalovirus…
Viscosity measurement in tiny samples
A NEW viscosity test protocol from Rheosense demonstrates how it is possible to obtain accurate test measurements on samples as small as 20ul. The company says this is the the lowest sample volume requirement available, and is achieveable with its…
Electronic pipetting made more affordable
A COMPREHENSIVE new range of pipettes from Wheaton offers ergonomic design and uncomplicated handling, along with an interchangeable drive unit to reduce the cost of electronic pipetting. The Acura Electro range comprises three models, each available in multiple sizes. Seven…
More sensitivity with multi-photon fluorescence
MAKING use of every photon that a sample emits under fluorescence imaging is increasingly important in advanced life science research, says Olympus Europa, introducing its new FV10MP-BXD-GAP photodetector. This non-descanned unit can capture very faint fluorescence signals and so minimise…
Tablet cam makes any microscope digital
COMBINING the features of a digital camera and a tablet computer, a new line of devices from Carltex promise to make any microscope into a digital instrument. The tablet cams connect easily to any trinocular head, says the company, and…
Young researchers win 2012 SLAS awards
THE SOCIETY for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) has named the four recipients of its 2012 Young Scientist Awards. They are Brian Cox (not the TV science celebrity, but a namesake at the University of Toronto); Lauren Drowley of AstraZeneca;…
Faster particle sizing for more productivity
ANALYSIS of raw material particle sizes is a routine laboratory job where speed and accuracy are the most important considerations. Malvern Instruments says its Mastersizer 3000 particle analysis instrument offers a boost to productivity through extensive automation, and the benefits…
Factors affecting CHN analysis
THE CHN (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen) elemental analyser is a mainstay of many analytical laboratories, and a new white paper from Exeter Analytical helps to throw some light on the factors affecting the performance of these instruments. Looking at the way…
Gel doc system promises high resolution in small footprint
SYNGENE’s latest gel documentation systm is aimed at the laboratory where space is at a premium but high resolution gel images are still required. The InGenius3 is a budget gel doc and fluorescence analysis system, which comes with a 3megapixel…
Shields up! Lab protection against beta and gamma radiation
WITH the growing use of radioactive materials in many laboratories, the matter of radiological protection for lab personnel is taking on extra emphasis. Traditional metal enclosures – often made of lead – are certainly effective but present a small risk…
MOgene selects Fluidigm sample prep system
FLUIDIGM has provided its Access Array sample preparation system, which prepares amplicons for resequencing without additional library preparation, to US-based genomics service provider MOgene. Based in St Louis, Missouri, MOgene provides RNA/DNA isolation, real-time PCR, and other genomic analysis services…
Third-generation polymerase boosts plant PCR
BETTER success rates and more efficient amplification in plant PCR is promised by the Kapa3 plant PCR kit, available in the UK exclusively from Anachem. Suitable for work on a variety of plant and tissue types, including seeds, leaf discs,…
Flame photometer finds the fifth element
A BUDGET flame photometer from Cole-Parmer uses key components from a more costly system, promising great value for money. The Single-Channel Flame Photometer (its name as well as its description) is useful to determine the concentration of elements in a…
Faster sample prep for sports doping tests
IN THIS Olympic year the issue of sports doping is high on the agenda, and just this week the London Olympic organisers provided a preview of the anti-doping laboratory in Essex, UK, which will be charged with testing athletes’ urine…