Bioscience Technology articles from September 2004

Bioscience Technology archives from September 2004

Double stain antibodies.
September 1, 2004... Double Vision double stain polymer detection system features -ALP and -HRP polymerization technology that provides an increase in staining sensitivity. It is designed for a rapid double stain procedure: labs can do an IHC stain for two or more...

Pipetting workstation.
September 1, 2004... The S4 Pipetting Workstation is a compact, multi-function tabletop system for nanoliter to microliter dispensing in 96-, 384- and 1536-well plates. It can be used with fixed or disposable tips. An automatic changing protocol simplifies tip...

Human XIAP EIA.
September 1, 2004... XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis) belongs to the IAP (inhibitors of apoptosis) family, which is characterized by one or more BIR (baculovirus IAP repeat) domains. These proteins have multiple biological functions that include binding and...

Ultrasonic probe for microtiter plates.(Editor's Choice)
September 1, 2004... Sonics & Materials has introduced a probe that processes 96 samples simultaneously in a microtiter plate. The 96-element probe delivers ultrasonic intensity directly into the sample, not through plate walls where energy can be absorbed. The 20...

New cartridges for micro parallel LC.(Editor's Choice)
September 1, 2004... Nanostream has announced two 24-column Brio cartridges to be used with their Veloce micro parallel liquid chromatography (mPLC) system. Each polymer-based reusable cartridge incorporates twenty-four columns packed with standard (C18) stationary...

FT-IR spectrometer.(Editor's Choice)
September 1, 2004... The VERTEX 70 FT-IR spectrometer provides data acquisition based on 24-bit dynamic range ADC's that are integrated into the detector preamplifier electronics, providing a high signal-to-noise ratio. The unit is useful for the analysis of...

Phosphocellulose filter plates optimize kinase assay performance.(Editor's Choice)
September 1, 2004... [MultiScreen.sub.HTS]-PH 96-well filter plates are automation compatible and follow a pre-validated protocol. The plates incorporate pH paper for optimized kinase assay performance. pH paper retains peptide substrates to remove the unreacted,...

Automated sample preparation.(Editor's Choice)
September 1, 2004... BioSprint workstations and kits prepare use magnetic-particle technology to automate the simultaneous preparation of up to 15 or 96 samples. The first kit available in what will be an expanding range enables purification of genomic DNA from...

Protein purification kits.(Editor's Choice)
September 1, 2004... The Enchant Life Sciences Kit for albumin depletion and the two Enchant Life Sciences Kits for IgG (immunoglobulin G) purification remove these abundant proteins from human and animal-derived serum or plasma samples. Each all-in-one kit...

Linear RNA amplification for expression analysis: relative representation of each transcript species present in the original sample is maintained.(Tools & Techniques)
September 1, 2004... Linear amplification RNA amplification is becoming a routine and necessary step when preparing samples for expression analysis--particularly when using microarrays. RNA amplification provides the sensitivity to detect expression...

Digital confocal microscope.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... Scan head optics in the Digital Eclipse C1-Plus Modular Confocal System boost optical performance to 400 nm. Directly modulated 408 nm, 440 nm and 638 nm diode lasers are available for the C1-Plus, as are a new diode pumped solid state laser at...

Image processing software.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... PictureFrame 2.1 image-processing suite is included with QuantiFire, MacroFire, MicroFire, and MicroFire monochrome cameras from Optronics. The package implements 48-bit image processing that delivers bright color and high bit depth...

Plug-in module for instrument software.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... Color-Pro Plug-in Module, for use with Image-Pro Version 5.0 software, manages image color fidelity to display accurate, consistent colors from the computer monitor to the microscope. This module installs an International Color Consortium (ICC)...

Motorized stage.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... The H117 flat top stage, for Nikon TE2000 and Olympus IX51/71/81 inverted microscopes, has all drive components mounted below the top plate. This provides easy access for micromanipulators, environmental chambers and robotic loaders. The stage...

Scientific digital camera.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... SPOT Insight 12 color scientific digital camera utilizes three-shot image capture with a four-Megapixel CCD, 14-bit image captures, and a 20-MHz delivery, to provide high-resolution, large field of view, and rapid image capture. The...

4Pi fluorescence microscope.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... The Leica TCS 4Pi fluorescence microscope system use a phase and wavefront corrected, double-objective imaging system linked to a confocal scanner to enable a 4 to 7-fold increase in axial resolution over confocal and two-photon microscopy....

XYZ piezo scanning stage provides NM resolution.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... P-563.3CD PIMars long-travel piezo scanning/nanomanipulation system provides resolution in the nanometer realm and 300 x 300 x 300 [micro]m travel in XYZ axes, integrated capacitive feedback and closed-loop control boost linearity by up to...

Automated cell-based screening.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... A plate handler has been integrated with the Opera high throughput confocal screening system, permitting fully automated cell-based screening. Combining the Opera and the automated plate handler enables analysis of up to 80 plates in a fully...

Image analysis platform.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... iTEM image analysis platform offers TEM-specific functions, processing, analysis, visualization, image and data archiving, as well as automation and report generation. Image stacks and image series are automatically acquired, aligned, and...

16-bit CCD camera.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... Cascade: 128 CCD camera can collect more than 500 full frames of true 16-bit date per second. Faster frame rates can be achieved via subregion readout or binning. A high-QE, back-illuminated CCD with "on-chip multiplication gain" provides...

Laser combiner.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... This laser combiner, based on 405-nm fiber-coupled laser, allows microscopy users to take advantage of new analytical techniques. Wavelengths from 405 up to 647 nm are accommodated co-linearly down the same fiber at extremely low noise levels....

Gel documentation and analysis.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... AlphaImager Imaging System provides gel documentation and analysis with real time video response, acquisition, analysis, and a firewire camera in one package. It includes a motorized zoom lens as standard at a price lower than the earlier...

Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscopy for observation of single molecules.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... Carl Zeiss MicroImaging TIRF microscopy--Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscopy--is a method for visualizing thin layers of microscope samples in fluorescence microscopy. The technique provides high Z-resolution and improves...

Conductive AFM imaging module.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... Conductive AFM is a current-sensing technique for electrical characterization of conductivity variations in resistive samples. A new module has been introduced, ORCA, for conductive AFM measurements using the MFP-3D AFM System. ORCA allows...

Cooled digital CCD camera.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... SensiCamQE cooled digital CCD camera offers enhanced quantum efficiency in the visible and NIR regions. The combination of high pixel resolution (1376 x 1040), low system noise (4e), high quantum efficiency (65%), 12-bit dynamic range, and fast...

Image capture technology.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... Based on Auto-Montage reconstruction technology, Auto-Montage Essentials selects and combines the focused areas from source image tiles (Bitmap, JPEG, and TIFF format) captured by any digital camera. It then produces a focused "montage" image,...

CCD cameras.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... Sony Visual Imaging Products has introduced six IEEE 1394 high-resolution digital cameras that are available for bioscience applications. The XCD-SX and DFW-SX 910 camera series feature a 1/2-inch progressive scan CCD while the XCD-X and DFW-X...

Fluorescence filters.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... High-performance CFP and YFP filters have been added to the BrightLine fluorescence filter family. Offered for live-cell imaging, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and colocalization applications, fluorescence filters for CFP and...

Darkroom Illuminator LED safelight.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... KODAK Darkroom Illuminator LED safelight provides efficient illumination and reduced maintenance in the scientific imaging laboratory. Spectrally matched to autoradiography and electron micrography films, it measurably improves image quality by...

Densitometry software.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... QuantiScan for Windows analyzes images such materials as polyacrylamide and agarose gels, autoradiograms, TLC plates, etc. QuantiScan accepts image files from any source including scanners and cameras, and has separate modules for the analysis...

Camera adapters.(Microscopy, Image Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... Proprietary camera adapters offer image capture through nearly any microscope or stereoscope, and mount quickly and easily with thumbscrews. Several adapters are available for use with either 35-mm or digital cameras, and most are compatible...

Bioreactor applications reports.(Cell Culture and Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... New Brunswick Scientific has published a series of application reports on the use of their benchtop BioFlo 110 fermentor/cell culture system. Five studies document step-by-step procedures for culturing Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO), hybridoma and...

Heavy wall filter flasks.(Cell Culture and Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... Kimble and Kontes have upgraded all of their filter flasks, which now feature a heavier, more uniform bead for less chipping and maximum durability. Heavier walls mean less chance of breakage during vacuum filtration. Beaded bottoms increase...

Reduced serum media formulations.(Cell Culture and Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... Gibco Advanced D-MEM/F-12 and Advanced RPMI 1640 reduced serum media formulations enable researchers involved in mammalian cell culture to reduce Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) supplementation by 50 to 90 percent with little or no change in cell...

Large capacity flask.(Cell Culture and Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... New 225 [cm.sup.2] NUNC EasYFlask is equipped with a system that allows opening or closing the flask by a mere one-third turn of the cap. Maximum airflow underneath the flask optimizes temperature equilibration during incubation, even when...

Optical imaging multiple well plate.(Cell Culture and Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... New 384 well optical imaging microplate for high content screening is manufactured using a molding process that ensures flat well bottoms and well-to-well uniformity. The dimensional stability of this plate ensures that microscope refocusing is...

Competent cells.(Cell Culture and Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... ATCC has introduced E. coli competent cells and SOC Medium for researchers who utilize transformation in the study of gene expression, cloning, and other applications. GC5 and GC10 cells consistently show transformation efficiencies of >...

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ELISA.(Cell Culture and Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... A Human ACE Quantikine ELISA kit is available from R&D Systems. Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme is known for its role in blood pressure control and water and salt metabolism. ACE is also involved in immunity, reproduction and neuropeptide...

Mammalian cell counter.(Cell Culture and Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... Accurately counting mammalian cells in under a minute, the NucleoCounter[TM] uses patented fluorescence technology and disposable cartridges pre-filled with a nuclei-staining dye to sample and analyze cell counts. The compact system is easy to...

Competent cells.(Cell Culture and Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... Chemically competent E.coli cell lines have been developed using a proprietary process that both improves and maintains transformation efficiencies of the cells in single-shot tubes and 96-well plates. The process has been applied to strains of...

Cell behavior monitor.(Cell Culture and Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... ECIS Model 1600 (Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing) measurement follows the impedance of cell-coated electrodes in real-time and is non-invasive and quantitative. The approach gathers date on cell behavior without the use of fluorescent...

Tissue culture dishes.(Cell Culture and Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... CellStar dishes are manufactured from the virgin polystyrene and offer distortion-free optical clarity. Dishes are available in 35 X 10, 60 x 15, 94 X 16, 100 X 20 and 140 x 20mm formats. Lids are vented to provide uniform gas exchange and...

Biomass Monitor.(Cell Culture and Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... The entry-level Biomass Monitor Model 210 provides a real-time record of the viable cell concentration, allowing users to see those critical process events. This instrument incorporates advances in RF Impedance with in situ steam sterilizable...

Peptide Hydrogel synthetic matrix.(Cell Culture and Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... Matrix PuraMatrix[TM] Peptide Hydrogel synthetic matrix, consisting of standard amino acids and >99% water, creates defined 3-D microenvironments for a variety of cell culture experiments. Under physiological conditions, the peptide component...

Basic media for broad spectrum applications.(Cell Culture and Analysis Focus)
September 1, 2004... Miltenyi Biotec has recently introduced the MACS basic media product line comprising RPMI and DMEM with classical formulations and modifications thereof with stable glutamine. RPMI and DMEM are used for a broad spectrum of applications. Through...

Benchtop centrifuges.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... Hettich Benchtop Centrifuge models are available in a wide range of sizes and capacities, along with a variety of rotors and accessories. Small or large quantities of tubes can be accommodated, including 1.5- or 2-ml tubes, 15- and 50-ml...

Oil-free vacuum pumps.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... New generation oil-free LABOPORT vacuum pumps reduce operating noise levels using new materials, valve technology, and sound dampening techniques. Each model features a single-piece structured diaphragm for a long, reliable service life. They...

Freeze dry system.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... FreeZone Plus 2.5-L Cascade Freeze Dry System features a compact benchtop design that allows it to fit on carts and countertops The collector cools to -84 C for processing samples with low eutectic points. Its LCD shows alarm messages, system...

Cleanroom wipers.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... KIMTECH PURE critical task wipers are offered for surface wiping in cleanroom environments. The new line includes PURE CL4 Critical Task Wipers for use in ISO Class 4 (FS209 Class 10) or higher cleanrooms, and CL5 Critical Task Wipers for use...

Temperature control circulator.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... Unistat 291w circulator offers highly efficient heating and cooling from -90 to 200 C. Manufactured by Huber, it has cooling capacities up to 19.0 kW with 24.0kW of heating. As with all Unistats, the 291w is a low-volume, hydraulically sealed...

Cryogenic specimen preservation.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... LABS-20K, LABS-40K, and LAB-80K systems offer comprehensive, flexible cryostorage specimen preservation. All models feature an accessible turntable configuration. Controller facilitates a range of archival storage applications....

Personal eye wash system.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... Vista Eyeshower[R] treats smoke, dust, or other eye irritants used in high-risk environments. This first aid device is small enough to include in any first aid kit. Each unit contains a sealed sterile applicator and a 1-oz (29.5-ml) sealed...

Telescopic lifting equipment.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... Telescoping Bridge extends to reach the working areas that a standard bridge could not. Instead of relocating loads into a place a standard bridge can reach, this option provides more length off to the side of the bridge crane. Ergonomic...

Orbital shaker.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... TEOS orbital mixers use air turbine technology to provide ultra-high speed and variable amplitude for applications in micro-volume mixing. With speeds up to 10,000 rpm and amplitudes up to 5 mm, the unit creates vortices and maintains proper...

Microtube centrifuge.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... Micro Combo centrifuge solution, for large-capacity microtube or microhematocrit needs, spins up to 24 1.5-or 2-ml tubes at speeds up to 11,500 rpm. A heavy-duty, high-speed motor, complete with a metal lid with and clear port, aids in quick...

Ergonomic lab chairs.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... AM Series heavy-duty ergonomic chairs include a task control ergonomic mechanism that adjusts seat height, backrest tilt, and backrest height to achieve a comfortable working position. Saddle-shaped contoured seat is 21" Wide x 19" D x 3"...

C[O.sub.2] incubators.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... Providing a stable growing environment for cultures, REVCO Ultima II and Elite II water-jacketed C[O.sub.2] incubators incorporate control functionality to make set up, start-up, and operation simple. Follow instruction sets in the start-up...

Ventilated and refrigerated centrifuge series.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... C4i and G4i 3-L centrifuges, in ventilated and refrigerated versions, have a swing-out rotor capacity of 4 x 750 ml, are equipped with a quiet, brushless induction motor, and operate at up to 8000 rpm with a rcf of 10.804 x g. C4i models are...

High-containment gloveboxes.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... IsoGARD series Class III gloveboxes are offered for research involving agents assigned to (BSL-3 or -4) facilities (aerosolization studies, vaccine research, infectious disease diagnostics and research, and inspection of suspected chemical and...

Ultrasonic processors.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... Microprocessor-based VCX line of Ultrasonic Processors feature automatic tuning, temperature control, energy monitor (Joules), Watt-meter, and a small footprint. Typical applications include cell disruption, sample prep, dissolution, and...

Syringe pump.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... Cavro XLP 6000 syringe pump, for liquid handling applications in the 5 [micro]l to 25 ml range, offers a universal valve encoder with flex coupler, flash memory, 6,000/ 48,000-step resolution and a self-aligning syringe interface. Teflon coated...

Cleaning chemicals.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... LANCERCLEAN Detergent and LANCERACID Rinse cleaning chemicals deliver optimum cleaning results for high-pressure glassware washers. Three different formulas are offered to clean everything from standard laboratory soils to hard-to-remove...

Refrigerators, environmental equipment.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... Nor-Lake Scientific offers a complete line of refrigeration and environmental storage equipment. Lab and pharmacy refrigerators and freezers, stability chambers, blood bank refrigerators and plasma freezers, chromatography refrigerators and...

Miniature Microcentrifuge.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... VSMC-13 Mini Microcentrifuge features variable speed settings up to 13,200 rpm as well as a centrifugal force of 10,500 X g at full acceleration in just 10 seconds. This heavy duty and quiet centrifuge has a 7" X 7" X 8" footprint that occupies...

Refrigerating/heating circulators.(General Lab Equipment Focus)
September 1, 2004... Low-temperature circulators provide temperature control. Designed with a 13-L reservoir, 9700 Series Refrigerating/ Heating Circulators feature a -45 to 200 C temperature range and are available with a choice of three controllers. Other...

Gene expression profiling service.(RNA Focus)
September 1, 2004... GenUs BioSystems has launched a gene expression profiling service for picogram quantities of RNA. The company offers the service to researchers who have as few as 10 cells or 100 picograms of total RNA. Scientists often use techniques such as...

RNA gene expression analysis.(RNA Focus)
September 1, 2004... Eppendoft cMaster R[T.sub.plus], PCR systems are offered for gene expression analysis at the RNA level. Thermal stable cMaster RT enzyme enables synthesis of cDNAs at temperatures up to 65 C, where the toughest RNA secondary structure can be...

siRNA transfection reagent.(RNA Focus)
September 1, 2004... X-tremeGENE siRNA transfection reagent delivers over 90% gene knockdown in many cell types using siRNA, and facilitates knockdown experiments with siRNA and co-transfection experiments using siRNA and DNA. The reagent requires no media changes...

RNAi microarray screens.(RNA Focus)
September 1, 2004... Genetix is offering microarray products suitable for screening the efficacy of siRNA molecules in RNAi studies. Double-stranded siRNA molecules (typically 20-25 nucleotides in length) can be introduced into mammalian cells by a variety of...

siRNA delivery system.(RNA Focus)
September 1, 2004... SiRNA delivery reagents, TransIT-siQUEST and TransIT-TKO, are both designed to achieve optimal delivery and high efficiency target gene knockdown in a broad range of cell types, including primary cells. The one-step transfection reagents are...

Engineered M-MLV RT.(RNA Focus)
September 1, 2004... ArrayScript[TM] reverse transcriptase is a modified enzyme that produces up to twice as much cRNA compared to wild type M-MLV or AMV and other engineered M-MLV reverse transcriplases when low amounts of total RNA are used (approximately 100...

Tube shows minimal affinity for peptides and proteins: reducing adsorption increases sample recovery, lowers signal-to-noise.(Tools & Techniques)
September 1, 2004... Introduction Sample preparation in biological and biotechnological systems plays an important role in the success of many processes. It is a requirement that the material of the micro test tubes used must possess low affinity for proteins...

Triple quadrupole mass spec.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... Finnigan TSQ Quantum Ultra EMR offers high resolution and mass range of up to 3000 Daltons. Extended mass range allows analysis of biopolymers including peptides, polysaccharides, and oligonucleotides. Constant neutral loss, parent scanning,...

Equine proteins.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... Equine proteins for IL-4 and TNF-alpha/TNFSF1A are the latest "additions to IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-10 in the expanding range of equine proteins available for veterinary medicine research. IL-4 is a secreted monomeric polypeptide with...

Thromboxane B2, creatinine EIA kits.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... Thromboxane B2 (TX-B2) Express EIA is a competitive assay that measures TXB2 from a variety of sample types. Features of the kit include 2 hr incubation and 1 hr development times and sensitivity in the range of 50%B/B0 ~ 170 pg/ml; 80%B/B0 ~...

Endotoxin-Free Plasmid Prep Kits.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... UltraClean Endotoxin-Free Plasmid Prep Kits purify up to 1 mg of plasmid DNA containing less than 0.1 EU/[micro]g of DNA. The large-scale kit can process up to 500 ml of an LB broth culture and up to 250 nil of a high-nutrient broth culture. It...

Temperature controllers.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... SERIES SD single-channel family of PID temperature controllers include a universal sensor input with up to three outputs that can be programmed for heat or cool temperature control. Unit features include EIA 485 Modbus serial communications,...

RNA and cDNA purification.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... RNAClean reagent system (Agencourt Bioscience Corp.) purifies nucleic acids from a number of enzymatic reactions including antisense RNA amplification, cDNA synthesis, in vitro transcription, and cDNA and RNA labeling reactions. Based on Solid...

Annealing Control Primer.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... Added to the Annealing Control Primer (ACP), which eliminates false positives in PCR by maximizing primer-annealing specificity, GeneFishing technology incorporates two main applications into a kit form. The DNA Walking SpeedUp kit finds up to...

Microvolume pipettes.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... SoftGrip[TM] pipettes facilitate critical microvolume applications, particularly for volumes ranging from 0.2 to 2 [micro]l. Accuracy for the 2 [micro]l adjustable volume pipette is within [+ or -] 1.2% and precision is within +0.6% at nominal...

Noninvasive oxygen measurement.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... Model 4000 noninvasive oxygen measurement system includes a built-in processor and automatic infrared temperature sensor and processor, and is fully portable and self-contained. It features an integrated 8.4" display and a standard PC keyboard...

Ultra-micro dialysis.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... Ultra-Micro Dialyzers, for samples volumes from 1 to 5 [micro]l, come with a broad selection of membranes, including 1K, 2K, 5K, 10K, 25K, and 50K of regenerated cellulose and 100 and 500 in cellulose acetate. They are constructed of low...

Chromatin immunoprecipitation kit.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... The Active Motif ChIP-IT Kit provides a method for performing chromatin immunoprecipitation. It contains buffers, inhibitor cocktails, antibodies, and controls that work in CHIP. ChIP-IT Kit antibodies are directed against general transcription...

XY and linear motor stages.(New Products)
September 1, 2004... MX80L-S miniature XY stage is a small linear servomotor driven positioner. Measuring 25 mm tall and 80 mm wide, it rapidly positions light loads within a small work envelope. The stage is useful for microscopy, plate readers, liquid handling,...