DRUG DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT 13


As described in a recently published paper in the journal Analyst, Beer and his colleagues created such a device and demonstrated PCR times of less than three minutes. Teir work was funded by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and internal LLNL money.


Te researchers demonstrated their PCR device by amplifying genomic DNA from an Enterobacter bacterium and a portion of SARS DNA.


Te first tested the device’s ability to rapidly amplify a large DNA segment, and the second showed the device’s utility in handling a public health threat virus. Te device achieved 30-cycle (billion-fold) PCR amplification of the target DNA in as little as two minutes and 18 seconds.


Now that Beer and his team have demonstrated sub-three-minute PCR, they are working to develop a real-time-detection device. Tey envision a PCR instrument that


can complete a test, from sample to results, in five to 10 minutes.


MicroRNA Sistemic, a global company with expertise in microRNA , has announced the release of its new Companion Biomarker programme. Extending the company’s existing SistemRNA suite of drug discovery and development tools, the Companion Biomarker programme simplifies the benefits of miRNA analysis and profiling to support timely decision making within clinical research.


Drug discovery companies will be able to utilise new multiple miRNA biomarkers to determine the efficacy of targeted drugs, in major therapeutic areas and when developing companion biomarker strategies for future clinical development.


MicroRNA profiling has rapidly become an indispensable technology with a whole catalogue of applications and new opportunities.


Companion biomarkers are the most recent extension of the technology and are set to provide valuable clinical data to guide both pre- clinical and clinical studies.


Te system will use the robustness and specificity of miRNA to identify highly discriminatory biomarkers which, in turn, will guide patient prognosis, the selection of appropriate drug treatment, and monitoring of drug response.


Protein-binding For its part, AMSBIO has announced a suite of new products for investigating the protein- binding properties of Heparin, Heparan Sulphate (HS) and other glycosaminoglycans (GAGS).


Such investigations have traditionally been constrained by the need for chemical modification prior to attachment to inert or derivatised surfaces.


Te AMSBIO Heparin/GAG Binding Plate offers a simple solution


Introducing...


the NEW Vortex-xt Torque Tester • A rugged torque tester that’s ideal for the QC laboratory or production floor


• Stand-alone testing system means no PC’s required


• Simple to use and easy to programme


• Conducts static and rotary tests at the push of a button


• Measures clockwise & counter-clockwise torque


• Designed to cut costs by improving production line efficiency and reducing wastage


• Interfaces easily with PLC/SPC • Configurable reporting


• Can be integrated into automated manufacturing environments


to this problem - the specially- prepared plate surface adsorbs GAGS without modification whilst maintaining their protein-binding characteristics.


Te versatility of the Heparin/ GAG Binding Plate will find many applications including elucidation of optimum GAG sequences and sulphation patterns for binding to proteins of interest, analyses of sulphotransferases and endosulphatases and detection of inhibitors or enhancers of protein- GAG recognition.


Te new plate can also be used for studying receptor binding to growth factors or chemokines bound to surface-immobilised GAGS.


Te ELISA-type format of the Heparin/GAG Binding Plate is economical on the use of valuable protein reagents and is compatible with automated laboratory systems. AMSBIO has also introduced new high performance arrays designed for use with the plate.


No more boiling over. PC 3001 VARIO


The PC 3001 VARIO is the ultimate laboratory vacuum solution for working with many high- boiling solvents (e.g., rotary evaporation). Without the need for programming or constant monitoring, the automatic, single-point vacuum control prevents boiling retardation and foaming whilst reducing process times and increasing process safety.


VACUUBRAND GMBH + CO KG Alfred-Zippe-Straße 4 · 97877 Wertheim · Germany T +49 9342 808-5550 · F +49 9342 808-5555 info@vacuubrand.com · www.vacuubrand.com


Circle 13A or ✔ at www.scientistlive.com/eurolab eurolab_11_2011_PC_3001_Kochtopf.indd 1 22.11.2011 13:20:18 t: +44 (0) 1403 799979 • info@mecmesin.com Circle 13 or ✔ at www.scientistlive.com/eurolab


Further information at www.vacuubrand.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44