Bioscience Technology articles from June 2006

Bioscience Technology archives from June 2006

Scientists detect genetic variance using a SNP assay.(Editor's Note)
June 1, 2006... When Evan Eichler and Deborah Nickerson, associate professor and professor, respectively, of genome sciences at the University of Washington, found they could use a commercial array to detect structural variation with the genome, they knew they...

Nucleic acid, protein purification.(June's Innovations)
June 1, 2006... The PrepEase product line provides plasmid and BAC purification, gel extraction, RNA purification, sequencing dye clean-up, protein extraction and more. Plasmid Gravity-Flow Column Kits obtain low to high copy plasmid DNA from bacterial...

RNA isolation kits.(June's Innovations)
June 1, 2006... Three RNA isolation kits--the Cytoplasmic and Nuclear RNA Purification Kit, a Leukocyte RNA Purification Kit and a microRNA Purification Kit--are available. These kits make the purification of all types of RNA a simple and routine task. They...

96-Well Freeze-Drying Systems.(June's Innovations)
June 1, 2006... VirTis 96-Well Freeze-Drying Systems offer either glass or plastic vials set in an aluminum vial holder with a LyoCap 96-Well Capmat Lyophilization Stopper. The solid aluminum 96-well vial holders provide efficient and even heat distribution to...

Chemistry Analyzer.(June's Innovations)
June 1, 2006... The BioProfile Basic 2 Automated Chemistry Analyzer provides rapid, accurate measurement of glucose and lactate in cell culture and fermentation media. It features automatic, one-button operation; fast, 2-minute analysis; automatic 2-point...

Benchtop fermentor.(June's Innovations)
June 1, 2006... BioFlo 310 benchtop fermentor regulates up to 32 process parameters in up to four vessels, simultaneously, a total of 128 parameters. Built-in controls facilitate easy integration of up to ten sensors, scales, gas analyzers or other external...

Real-time PCR System.(June's Innovations)
June 1, 2006... Mastercycler ep realplex real-time thermal cycling system combines Mastercycler ep gradient thermocycler technology with intuitive, multi-purpose software. Modular design allows a choice of two 96-well options--a fast aluminum gradient block or...

Epoxide coated slides, for array development.(June's Innovations)
June 1, 2006... Due to the availability of more reliable and affordable DNA sequences, the use of oligonucleotide microarrays is increasing, creating a need for printing substrates with high binding capacity and chemical stability. Corning Epoxide Coated...

Neuron profiling software.(June's Innovations)
June 1, 2006... Image-analysis software for neurobiology provides real-time measurements for neuronal morphology and neurite outgrowth in vitro. The fully integrated software, working with the Cellomics ArrayScan or KineticScan HCS readers, automatically...

Imaging and automation: advancing microscopy.(Cover story)
June 1, 2006... Microscopy, one of biology's most mature technologies, is enjoying a resurgence thanks to fluorescence tagging, live cell experimentation, image acquisition and processing, and software that ties everything together. Although high-end imaging...

Cytokine Arrays.(Immunochemicals Focus)
June 1, 2006... Quansys Biosciences Q-Plex Arrays facilitate multiplex analysis of human and mouse cytokines important for the study of diseases and immune system regulation. The multiplexed ELISA simultaneously detects and quantifies up to 16 different...

H5N1 influenza antibodies and antigens.(Immunochemicals Focus)
June 1, 2006... H5N1 is a type of avian influenza virus that has mutated into several highly pathogenic varieties. The name H5N1 refers to the subtypes of surface antigens present on the virus: hemagglutinin type 5 and neuraminidase type 1. Influenza A H5N1...

Monoclonal Ab identifies potential marker of epithelial cells.(Immunochemicals Focus)
June 1, 2006... IOTest CD136 (RON)-PE conjugated monoclonal antibody identifies a receptor protein kinase potentially involved in tumor development and growth. The CD136 antigen is the product of the recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) gene. It is mainly...

Nickel conjugates and Western blot kits.(Immunochemicals Focus)
June 1, 2006... His Detector products utilize patented nickel-NTA enzyme conjugates that bind with high affinity to His-tagged recombinant proteins. They provide a reliable method for direct detection of His-tagged proteins without the use of antibodies, and...

Polymer-based PolyQules.(Biochemicals & Kit: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... The PolyQule technology platform involves encapsulating candidate drug molecules in special polymers to form PolyQules--stable and easy to deliver microparticles. These particles can also be coated to endow additional functional characteristics...

p53 Pathways Ab Array.(Biochemicals & Kit: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... Panorama p53 Pathways Antibody Array, for studying the expression patterns of proteins known to be involved in p53 pathways, enables the analysis of cell or protein extracts and contains 112 antibodies spotted in duplicate onto a nitrocellulose...

Transfection of primary neuronal cells: sensitivities to media conditions and cytotoxicity of transfection reagents both contribute to low transfection efficiency, low cell viability and neurodegeneration.(Biochemicals & Kits: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... Primary neuronal cells are known to be difficult to transfect. Sensitivities to media conditions and cytotoxicity of transfection reagents both contribute to low transfection efficiency, low cell viability and neurodegeneration, problems that...

E. coli for DNA and protein production.(Biochemicals & Kit: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... Called Clean Genome E. coli, this genetically engineered bacterial strain can replicate DNA that can not be cloned in other E. coli strains, as well as DNA that is prone to genetic rearrangement. The product provides the stability and robust...

Microvascular Endothelial Cell Systems.(Lymphatic Microvascular Endothelial Cell Systems)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Clonetics Human Lung Blood and Lymphatic Microvascular Endothelial Cell Systems are pure, optimized microvascular endothelial cells for use in bioresearch. Lung Blood (BECs) and Lymphatic Microvascular Endothelial Cells (LECs) are implicated in...

FISH DNA and RNA kits.(Biochemical & Kits: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) kits include all reagents needed for probe synthesis, labeling, purification and imaging. A two-step procedure eliminates the need for second detection methods, and combines PureLink nucleic acid...

Plasmid Screen.(purifying plasmid )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Colony Fast-Screen Kit provides rapid screening of plasmids, without growing overnight cultures or purifying plasmid DNA. Restricti-Lyse Solution provided with the kit lyses cells in an environment which is not inhibitory to restriction enzyme...

High-speed confocal imager.(High Content Screening Focus)
June 1, 2006... [ImageXpress.sup.ULTRA] laser-scanning, confocal imager (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, CA) utilizes up to four configurable solid-state lasers and is available with a robotic plate handling option for automated, high throughput image-based...

Live HCS Reader.(High Content Screening Focus)
June 1, 2006... ArrayScan VTI Live HCS Reader (Cellomics Inc.) incorporates the VTI Live Module upgrade. The new instrument and module, which retrofits to earlier ArrayScan instruments, offer an incubation chamber to maintain a controlled environment for cells...

High content screening system.(High Content Screening Focus)
June 1, 2006... Thermo Electron Corporation's HCS WorkCell, a high-content screening (HCS) system, combines a small footprint with software for cell-based analysis applications such as stem cell research, cell health, and sRNAi technology. The system enables...

Automated inverted microscope for life science research.(Leica Microsystems Inc)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The Leica DMI 6000 B inverted microscope can accommodate multiple cameras, detectors, and light sources for individual or simultaneous use. Excitation wavelengths can be quickly switched because of an internal high-speed filter wheel. A range...

Modular HPLC.(Instruments & Systemsm: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... With more than 60 instrument modules, the Agilent 1200 HPLC can be configured for standard, nanoflow, capillary, narrow, prep-scale and chip operations, and is reverse-compatible with the Agilent 1100 Series. The 1200 is also available in a...

Automated imaging systems.(images cells and tissues )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... BD Pathway 435 images cells and tissues in multi-well plates or on microscope slides. Laser-based autofocus increases image acquisition speed and overall plate throughput. The system incorporates flexible computer-controlled excitation and...

Search, discovery platform.(Instruments & Systemsm: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... Velocity for Life Sciences (VLS) search and discovery platform includes meta-alerts, collaboration, document delivery and reporting capabilities for knowledge sharing among functional groups across an enterprise. VLS version 4.2...

Evaporative Light Scattering Detector.(Instruments & Systemsm: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... The PL-ELS 2100 Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (ELSD) incorporates the PL-ELS 2100 Ice (Integrated Cooled Evaporator), which operates at temperatures down to 10 C. The detector applies a stream of dry nitrogen during the evaporation step...

IEF system, scanners, for proteomics.(Instruments & Systemsm: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... IEF-SYS one-tank electrophoresis system allows 2D gels to be run with both immobilized pH gradient strips and pre-cast acrylamide gels. Images of the 2D gels can be generated using the ProteomeScan scanner or Dyversity, a CCD-based imager....

Blood cell counters.(updated with cell pictures)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... LW Scientific 5- and 8-key differential blood cell counters have been updated with cell pictures to make counting more efficient. The durable, manual counters feature reset knobs, a bell alarm for 100th counted cell, a non-slip bottom, a strip...

DNA sample storage service.(Sample Storage Focus)
June 1, 2006... GenPort dry state, room temperature DNA backup program is easily put into place and allows researchers to store biological samples in a highly secure, fire-proof, IRB approved and GLP certified environment. Any size collection is accommodated...

Lyse cells, store DNA on one device.(Sample Storage Focus)
June 1, 2006... FTA Elute allows sample collection, room temperature storage, processing and elution of DNA for use in molecular based amplification technologies. The device eliminates: shipping of whole blood collected in tubes; freezer storage; long sample...

Automated plate sealer.(Sample Storage Focus)
June 1, 2006... The ALPS 3000 automated plate sealer seals individual plates in six seconds. Heat sealing is used in long term storage in liquid nitrogen or in environments where sample evaporation is a concern. Touch screen controls and step-by-step guidance...

Pipette tip storage box.(Sample Storage Focus)
June 1, 2006... The Tip SystemBox with hinged lid is offered by Sarstedt as an accessory to their line of pipette tips. In combination with various 96-tip packs, the box forms a stable and convenient pipetting station. Manufactured from high-grade...

Conical Filters.(Apparatus & Consumables: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... Nalgene 50 ml Conical Filter Units incorporate Supor machV polyethersulfone (PES) membrane and provide rapid vacuum filtration of biological samples in volumes ranging from 20 to 50 ml. The filter is attached to a 50 ml centrifuge tube for fast...

384-well plates, for cell, homogeneous assays.(Apparatus & Consumables: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... Solid black and white 384-well plates are available with standard tissue culture treated surface for cell-based assays and NBS surface (or untreated) for homogeneous assays. Enhanced molding process results in reduced autofluorescence, high...

Ten tips to improve pipetting technique: wipe only if there is liquid on the outside of the tip, and then, very carefully. Absorbent material rapidly carries sample from the tip if it contacts the tip opening. Unnecessary tip wiping increases the possibility of sample loss.(Apparatus & Consumables)
June 1, 2006... The pipette is a reliable precision instrument that has been used and trusted for many years. However, as with many forms of instrumentation, a pipette will perform only as well as the operator's technique allows. Differences in technique--some...

Centrifugal concentrators.(Apparatus & Consumable: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... Refrigeration capability added to the CentriVap Benchtop Centrifugal Concentrator allows processing of samples such as RNA that are subject to degradation from heat caused by friction. Samples are cooled to -4 C. A 300-watt heater speeds...

Miniature translation stages.(Apparatus & Consumable: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... M-110 series translation stages provide linear motion of 5, 15 and 25 mm. X, XY and XYZ systems are available, and combine with the M-116 miniature rotary stage. High-speed piezo drives provide scanning or positioning with nanometer precision....

Sterilizers.(Apparatus & Consumable: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... The Finn-Aqua GMP sterilizer has been expanded to include Bio Pharma Sterilizers in multiple sizes. Capacities range from 9.7 cu/ft to 294 cu/ft, with a choice of sterilization cycle options for hard goods or liquids. All units have a choice of...

Laser filters.(Apparatus & Consumable: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... MaxDiode clean-up filters, for use with popular laser diodes, have a 90% transmission over a defined range of each diode's possible laser wavelengths, while reducing unwanted out-of-band spectral noise. For researchers who use diode lasers for...

Bioscience spell checking software.(Apparatus & Consumable: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... Biotech v.2006 bioscience spelling software includes more than 200,000 specialty words. Biotech covers more than 70 different bioscience fields including agronomy, biochemistry, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, biophysics, molecular...

Pinpointing insertions/deletions with a SNP assay.(Best Practices)
June 1, 2006... Something about the results she was getting from her assay puzzled Deborah Nickerson: It seemed that the Golden Gate assay (Illumina, Inc., San Diego, CA), designed for studying SNPs, was detecting structural variance within the genome. ...

Valveless dispensers, pumps.(Apparatus & Consumable: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... Combining Ratio:Matic Dual Head Metering Pumps with the V300 Stroke Rate Controller (Fluid Metering, Inc.), allows proportional metering and electronic varying of the flow rate of two fluids at ratios from 1:1 up to 1000:1 at flow rates from 20...

Monitor eating, drinking.(Apparatus & Consumable: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... This system can be configured to monitor consumption of food, water, or both and expands to accommodate up to 64 weigh stations. Cages and tunnel adapters prevent spills and waste of food and/or liquid. Bar floor and catch tray make cleaning...

Worktables.(Apparatus & Consumable: PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... MetroMax worktables address a are built using polymers that include Microban antimicrobial product protection and resist corrosion. The tables are modular and offer a choice of casters. Work surfaces are easy-to-clean and are available in steel...

Floor standing centrifuges.(Apparatus & Consumable PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... Sorvall WX Ultra Series floor standing centrifuges are available in 80k, 90k and 100k rpm models. Small footprint, reduced deck height, and quiet operation allow placement in the lab, while compatibility with many ultra-rotors eases...

High-temperature, high-pressure fitting.(Apparatus & Consumable PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... This polyketone fingertight fitting offers biocompatibility comparable to PEEK. Rated to 6,000 psi at 2000 C and 12,000 psi at ambient temperatures, the fitting is useful in applications such as protein analysis and ion chromatography. *...

Low protein binding membrane filter.(Apparatus & Consumable PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... The Express Plus membrane is available in cut disk format for use in reusable filter holders. The polyethersulfone (PES), low protein binding membrane provides fast filtration of tissue culture media, additives, buffers and other aqueous...