[AUTOMATION]
Universal Colony Picker
Features onboard nephelometer
The Colibri system from Copan Diagnostics Inc, Murrieta, Calif, is an open platform capable of utilizing consumables prepared in house or manufactured by a number of different suppliers. The platform can work in-line with the company’s WaspLab microbiology specimen processor or as a standalone workstation to automatically prepare infectious disease and antibiotic susceptibility testing suspensions. Colibri automatically picks bacterial colonies for further workup and investigation, based upon digital coordinates previously specified by laboratory technologists. It can seed matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) target plates into various size tubes and bottles to prepare McFarland suspensions. Its onboard nephelometer automatically checks the opacity of the McFarland suspensions and prepares a plate to check the purity of the bacterial growth prepared in the McFarland suspension tube. The system automatically applies barcode labels.
Copan Diagnostics
(800) 216-4016; www.copanusa.com
[COMPUTERS/IT]
Laboratory Information Management System
Provides automation of laboratory processes
The Precision MDx laboratory information management system from UniConnect, Sandy, Utah, can be deployed as standalone software or integrated with an existing laboratory information system and billing infrastructure. The system is designed to provide automation of laboratory processes, while integrating multiple software systems. It was developed specifically for laboratory professionals seeking a focused solution for molecular laboratory operations that meet the certification requirements of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 and the College of American Pathologists. The system can be installed locally or hosted in the cloud. It offers a range of molecular diagnostics functionality, including accessioning, extraction, quantitation, polymerase chain reaction, analysis, and reporting.
UniConnect
(801) 428-1700; www.uniconnect.com
[EQUIPMENT]
Radioisotope Fume Hood
Reinforced to support lead barriers
The radioisotope fume hood from Hemco Corp, Independence, Mo, is engineered to meet the strict requirements for lab work involving radiochemicals. Constructed from a welded one-piece seamless type 304 stainless steel, the hood’s interior fume chamber has coved corners for easy cleaning. The work surface is welded to the fume chamber liner and is reinforced to support weight loads associated with isotope work such as lead barriers and equipment. Standard features include fluorescent lighting and a vertical-slide tempered glass sash. Offered in widths of 48, 60, and 72 inches, the hoods can be outfitted with a wide selection of accessories, including service fixtures, electrical service options, cabinets, tables, and suitable exhaust blowers to safely remove hazardous fumes or particulates.
Hemco Corp
(816) 796-2900; www.hemcocorp.com
Column Heater
Features temperature control software
The EchoTherm high-performance liquid chromatography column heater model CO20 from Torrey Pines Scientific Inc, Carlsbad, Calif, has a temperature range from room temperature to 90.0°C, readable and settable in increments of 0.1°C. The unit features proportional-integral-derivative temperature control software that regulates temperatures to ±0.1°C. Moreover, a stable temperature indicator lamp on the front panel alerts users when the target temperature is stable to within ±0.2ºC. Using mounting clips provided with space for guard columns and fittings, the heater holds columns up to 30 cm long by 14 inches. Users can remove mounting clips to accommodate larger diameter columns. The unit is designed with simple controls, a digital display of target and actual chamber temperatures, an injection counter, 30-day timer with alarm, and user-settable auto-off.
Torrey Pines Scientific
(866) 573-9104; www.torreypinesscientific.com
[INSTRUMENTATION]
Laser Microdissection Microscope Series
Offers LED illumination
Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, Germany, has launched two instruments under its laser microdissection (LMD) microscope series, the Leica LMD6 and the LMD7. Users can now choose between a halogen lamp and LED transmitted light, the latter of which provides homogenous illumination and a constant color temperature. Offering energy efficiency, LED illumination has a lifetime of up to 25,000 hours longer than that of halogen lamps. The systems enable dissection of a wide variety of biological samples, with specimens that can be specifically isolated and collected for use in genomics, metabolomics, next-generation sequencing, proteomics, and transcriptomics. As with previous versions, both systems collect samples by means of gravity, enabling users to collect their samples contact-free.
Leica Microsystems
(800) 248-0123; www.leica-microsystems.com
Linearity Control Kit
Determines reportable range of hematology analyzers
The calibration verification assessment (CVA) linearity control kit from Streck, Omaha, Neb, is now assayed for the ABX Micros 60 instrument from Horiba, Irvine, Calif. CVA is used to determine the reportable range and linear performance of three-part and five-part hematology analyzers. Each kit has customized ranges appropriate for each instrument model and provides instrument-specific assay values for the hemoglobin, platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell (WBC) parameters. WBC and platelet parameters have extended ranges providing values up to 410,000 and 3.5 million for instruments with extended linearities. Data can be submitted to Streck for a comprehensive linearity report at no additional charge. Reports include a graph that clearly displays the instrument’s linearity and accuracy, a peer group comparison, and an interpretive results section that can demonstrate compliance with laboratory regulations.
Streck
(800) 843?0912; www.streck.com
[MISC SUPPLIES]
Ro (SSA) Antigen
For the detection of rheumatic diseases
In partnership with Arotec Diagnostics Ltd, the Binding Site, San Diego, has developed a Ro (SSA) antigen for use as an integral component in solid-phase ELISA-based immunoassay procedures for the detection of anti-Ro (SSA) antibodies. Antibodies to the Ro (SSA) antigen are one of the most common serological markers of autoimmunity in rheumatic diseases, including Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Extracted and purified from bovine thymus solely of New Zealand origin, this Ro (SSA) antigen exhibits greater than 90% purity as assessed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, while demonstrating high degrees of activity and specificity. The antigen is available in standard fill formats of 1.0 mg and 0.2 mg, with custom packaging options also available.
The Binding Site
(800) 633-4484; www.thebindingsite.com
Biosynthetic Reference
Includes 26 major cancer hotspot genes
The new precision medicine business unit of SeraCare Life Sciences, Milford, Mass, has launched its first product, the Seraseq solid tumor mutation mix I. The biosynthetic reference material is designed to evaluate the performance of next-generation-sequencing (NGS)-based tumor profiling assays. Containing a mixture of mutations in key oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, the product is intended as a quality material for translational and disease research testing. In addition, it permits laboratories to monitor library preparation, sequencing, and variant allele detection under a given set of bioinformatics parameters. This first version includes 26 major cancer hotspot genes, all at 20% allelic frequency and quantitated using digital polymerase chain reaction. It is stable for 2 years under recommended storage conditions, and can undergo 10 freeze-thaw cycles without any degradation of performance. For research use only.
SeraCare Life Sciences
(508) 244-6400; www.seracare.com
Screw Cap Tubes
Encourage safe handling
Eppendorf North America, Hauppauge, NY, has released 15 ml and 50 ml conical tubes to broaden the volume range of its Eppendorf tubes. With the introduction of the two screw cap tubes, Eppendorf tubes now cover a volume range from 0.5 ml to 50 ml. Newly designed screw caps provide improved sealing properties, and their grooved and multisurface side-contour design also ensures a secure, slip-free grip. The optimized handling features further facilitate safe opening and closing of the tubes through convenient one-handed operation. The conical tubes are sterile and pyrogen-free, and they are also free from deoxyribonuclease and ribonuclease, as well as human and bacterial DNA. A high level of manufacturing precision and robustness ensures smooth performance of these tubes in laboratory instruments, such as centrifuges or thermomixers.
Eppendorf North America
(800) 645-3050; www.eppendorf.com
[TESTING/DIAGNOSTICS]
Certified Reference Materials
For cannabis testing applications
Cerilliant, Round Rock, Texas, has introduced new solution-based certified reference materials (CRMs) for seven cannabis biomarkers, including cannabidivarin, cannabigerol, cannabigerolic acid, cannabichromene, cannabidiolic acid, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A, and tetrahydrocannabivarin. These cannabinoid CRMs are suitable for use in cannabis testing applications by gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, or liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, including potency testing, cannabinoid and impurity profiling, pharmaceutical research, or forensic analysis. The pharmacological and regulatory complexities involving cannabis necessitate analytical testing of quality and potency to guarantee consumer safety in regions where its sale is legal for medicinal use. Cerilliant provides these and other certified solution standards of cannabinoids in a United States Drug Enforcement Agency- and Health Canada-exempt solution format, allowing laboratories to place orders without additional regulatory paperwork.
Cerilliant
(800) 848-7837; www.cerilliant.com
