[AUTOMATION]

Carolina Liquid Chemistries_analyzer crop640High-Throughput Chemistry Analyzer
Includes sample wheel with 140 positions
The CLC 1600 from Carolina Liquid Chemistries Corp, Winston-Salem, NC, was designed to meet the needs of a high-volume clinical laboratory. The recently FDA-cleared analyzer produces up to 900 photometric tests per hour and 1200 tests per hour when including electrolytes. Features include a Windows 7 Pro operating system, and a sample wheel with 140 positions. Holding 66 two-part reagents or 132 single-part reagents, the analyzer accommodates reagents with up to four parts. The CLC1600 is the newest addition to the company’s product line, which also includes the CLC480 benchtop for smaller clinical laboratories, the CLC800 for mid-volume labs, and the CLC6410 modular for large core and reference labs.
Carolina Liquid Chemistries
(877) 722-8910; www.carolinachemistries.com

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURESSample Handling Module
Reduces cross contamination risk
Agena Bioscience, San Diego, has introduced the Chip prep module to automate sample handling after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for its MassArray 96-well system. The module enables laboratories to operate the MassArray system largely unattended for high-throughput, multiplex genetic analysis. The Chip prep module is designed to minimize hands-on time and reduce the risk of cross contamination associated with manual sample handling. It automates several processing steps, including dispensing and desalting samples onto the SpectroChip array, and subsequently loading these onto the MassArray analyzer. Detecting genetic variation directly by end-point PCR and label-free mass spectrometry, the MassArray system can validate variants identified from genome sequencing in research and clinical settings.
Agena Bioscience
(858) 882-2800; agenabio.com

[COMPUTERS/IT]

UniConnect_PrecisionGx_Laboratory Information Management System
Includes new reporting functions
UniConnect, Sandy, Utah, has unveiled new toxicology and pharmacogenomics testing additions to its Precision MDx (pMDx) laboratory information management system. According to UniConnect, toxicology is currently experiencing profound change with the advent and application of omic science to more-established areas of existing practices. UniConnect is focused on helping pathology and toxicology professionals who are undergoing this transition by facilitating the addition of genomic-based testing to conventional practice portfolios. A new toxicology module and next-generation sequencing enhancements offer workflows embedded in the pMDx system. Enhanced reporting capabilities are integral to the system and can be deployed to support client-generated analysis, or content provided by expert partners.
UniConnect
(801) 428-1700; www.uniconnect.com

[MISC SUPPLIES]

Kimberly-Clark A8 Shoe Cvr crop 640Shoe Covers
Reduce slip and fall risk
Kimtech Pure A8 Unitrax shoe covers from Kimberly-Clark Professional, Roswell, Ga, feature a non-skid design and seamless bottoms for better comfort. Covers are available in three sizes for a custom fit, and offer wet and dry splash and particle protection. The covers are also low lint, which reduces the chances of contamination. Recyclable through the company’s RightCycle program, the covers can be diverted from landfills and made into raw materials to create eco-friendly consumer products and durable goods.
Kimberly-Clark Professional
(800) 241-314; www.kimtech.com

Akro-Mils_clear divider-Bin Dividers
Suitable for 5S lean initiatives
Akro-Mils, Akron, Ohio, has expanded its line of AkroBins with the addition of new Crystal Clear length dividers. Molded from high-impact polymers, AkroBins are designed to help control inventories, shorten assembly times, and minimize parts handling. Crystal Clear heavy-duty dividers attach securely to bins to create multiple stable compartments, and are transparent to keep bin contents highly visible, aiding in quick part- and stock-level identification. Suitable for 5S Lean and other productivity initiatives, the dividers are compatible with all 14 sizes of AkroBins and also function with Crystal Clear lids in place.
Akro-Mils
(800) 253-2467; www.akro-mils.com

ZenBio_GoPro_640Cell Culture Growth Supplement
Allows culturing of primary cells, cell lines
ZenBio Inc, Research Triangle Park, NC, has debuted its GroPro cell culture growth supplement, a ready-to-use human platelet lysate (HPL) formulation that can be used at the same supplementation percentages as fetal bovine serum (FBS) in traditional cultures. HPL has proven to be a cost-effective substitute for FBS in cell culture growth medium, without the risk of xenogeneic infections or immune reactions. Current use of HPL in culture medium requires the addition of heparin to prevent alloimmune aggregation, which can create visible clots in the medium. The GroPro product line does not require the use of heparin, thereby minimizing negative downstream effects. The product is formulated to be used at normal FBS concentrations.
ZenBio
(866) 234-7673; www.zen-bio.com

Microbiologics Inactivated genomic extracts_crop 640Inactivated Genomic Extract Controls
Stored at ambient temperature
Offered in multiple strains, inactivated genomic extract controls from Microbiologics Inc, St. Cloud, Minn, are used for validation, verification, proficiency testing, and quality control of molecular assays. Genomic extract Helix Elite molecular standards are dried, stabilized, and quantitated nucleic acid extracted from target pathogens. Used as a positive control for the amplification and detection steps in molecular assays, each preparation is assessed for purity and integrity, and provided with a gene copy number for quantitation. As with other Helix Elite molecular standards, genomic extracts are shipped and stored at ambient temperature. The first genomic extracts available are from low-passage mycoplasma strains sourced from the National Collection of Type Cultures.
Microbiologics
(800) 599-2847; microbiologics.com

[TESTING/DIAGNOSTICS]

BBI Solutions NGAL protein crop640Recombinant Protein
Aids in diagnosis of acute kidney injury
BBI Solutions, Cardiff, United Kingdom, has announced the launch of its recombinant NGAL protein, a new marker for the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury. Levels of NGAL can be seen to rise in the blood and urine, within 2 hours or less, during acute renal failure. NGAL is secreted in two different forms, a dimer and a monomer. Clinical studies have shown that the monomer is primarily the dominant form of NGAL. The company’s protein has low dimer content in relation to the monomer, and has been designed to provide a purity of more than 96%, minimizing the risk of interferences due to contaminants.
BBI Solutions
(800) 423-8199; www.bbisolutions.com

Roche_Cobas Liat Flu crop640Flu A/B Assay
Delivers results in approximately 20 minutes
FDA has granted waived status under the terms of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) for the Cobas influenza A/B test for use on the Cobas Liat system, by Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland. The Cobas Liat test is the first CLIA-waived real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect influenza A and B in approximately 20 minutes. The Cobas Influenza A/B test is the second assay on the Cobas Liat system to receive a CLIA waiver, following the Cobas Strep A test, which received a CLIA waiver in May 2015. The analyzer and two initial assays, Cobas Influenza A/B and Cobas Strep A, are CE marked and FDA cleared.
Roche Diagnostics
(800) 428-5076; usdiagnostics.roche.com

EKF Diagnostics Creamatocrit Plus crop640Creamatocrit Analyzer
Equipped with built-in tube reader
The Creamatocrit Plus from EKF Diagnostics, Cardiff, United Kingdom, is a mothers milk fat and calories analyzer with a built-in tube reader. The novel centrifuge is dedicated to providing a fast and accurate creamatocrit measure and estimate of calories in mothers milk. Small and lightweight, with quiet 3-minute operation, the analyzer is particularly useful in neonatal intensive care units to ensure that premature infants are receiving the calories they need to thrive. The centrifuge guides the separation of foremilk from high-lipid, high-calorie hindmilk to accelerate weight gain in extremely low birthweight infants. The analyzer uses a simple and accurate technique for estimating the lipid concentration and caloric density in mothers milk.
EKF Diagnostics
(800) 531-5535; www.ekfdiagnostics.com