20 Integrated, Automated Compound Storage and Screening System
Hamilton Robotics and Storage Technologies announces the delivery of a large, integrated system for compound storage and screening to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Program at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. The system, for the NIMH Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, was delivered to the UNC Department of Pharmacology and the Division of Medicinal Chemistry. This is the first installed system of its kind, providing seamless integration of -20˚C compound library storage with an automated liquid handling platform for screening assays. The system integrates a Hamilton ASM sample management system with two MICROLAB®
STAR liquid handling workstations, one with a 96-channel head and the other with 384 channels, using the Hamilton Rack
Runner robot for tube transfer. The new system can store up to 100,000 compounds in 0.5ml screw cap microtubes. Hamilton delivered the system within three months of the order, and a factory acceptance was successfully completed immediately prior to delivery.
The NIMH program at UNC is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and provides screening services to academic investigators, focusing on central nervous system receptors. Bryan L. Roth, M.D, PhD, Distinguished Professor, is the principal investigator for the program, which screens novel compounds for pharmacological and functional activity/selectivity at cloned human CNS receptors, channels and transporters.
“Many investigators send us their compounds for screening, often one or two at a time,” explained Jon Evans, M.S, M.B.A, Project Manager at UNC. “It’s especially important to us that the Hamilton system can locate and pick individual vials or tubes and deliver them to the liquid handler for the automated assays. This new integrated system will significantly increase the throughput, capacity and accuracy of our lab,” continued Evans. “It will allow us to do different kinds of assays and will provide complete chain of custody documentation. The NIMH-funded screening centre at UNC will
be able to reduce assay time requirements by as much as 75% and to run assays unattended,” commented Matt Hamilton, Vice President for Hamilton Storage Technologies. “This installation is a perfect example of how we can bring our liquid handling workstations and automated storage systems together and integrate them seamlessly.”
Circle no. 66
LABORATORY PRODUCTS
Features added to MQC Benchtop NMR Analyser
Oxford Instruments America, Inc announces the release of a second generation of its popular MQC analysers. Oxford Instruments' MQC has proven to be ideal for determining the oil content of seeds, food, wax, and rubber. Widely used in energy production and for the manufacturing of textiles, the MQC is also used to check the quality of construction materials and personal care products. A compact size minimises the footprint on critical laboratory benchtop workspace. It also includes a space-saving internal computer with operator interface, so no external PC is required. With the recent change to a 17-inch LCD flat screen monitor mounted on the magnet, the user is provided with a clear view of data and operational instructions. New test and diagnostic software makes remote servicing of the instrument a cost-saving convenience.
The MQC incorporates a permanent magnet that is smaller than those in any comparable instrument and has a very high homogeneity. Despite its small size, the magnet has the largest sample space in its class. It also has the highest field strength for maximum sensitivity and is available in several operating frequencies from 2 to 23 Megahertz. Interchangeable probes permit different sample sizes to be used for different materials, optimising the instrument for each application. A liquid variable temperature probe is now available for the MQC, which allows operators to run experiments at higher or lower temperatures. The bottom of the probe is now equipped with a plug that keeps the magnet clean in the event of spills or broken sample tubes.
The MQC’s magnet, computer, and electronics, including the power supply, are now contained in two separate housings making it possible to place the electronics on the floor, under the bench, or even on a shelf to save benchtop space. The MQC line is available in a number of models with probes ranging from 5mm to 60mm in diameter. Each instrument is shipped with all required software, hardware, and sampling accessories, including set-up standards tailored to the user’s application. The Magnetic Resonance business group is committed to the development and manufacture of cost-effective instrumentation for industrial quality control, research, and life sciences. The group's expertise is based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology.
Circle no. 68
Rapid-Response Technical Support
Bibby Scientific supports all Jenway, Stuart and Techne equipment with comprehensive technical advice from a specialist team based on the manufacturing site.
Whether users require technical advice on a product or an application, a team of trained scientists with many years’ laboratory experience in research and industrial environments are on hand. Immediate advice is available by email or phone, and the aim is to respond to all enquiries within one working day.
With expertise in chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, the Jenway, Stuart and Techne Technical Support team is capable of responding to a wide range of enquiries. Access to a fully equipped on-site laboratory enables more complex problems and queries to be investigated. Close contact between the technical support experts, design engineers and service staff facilitates rapid information transfer, ensuring that customers receive high quality and comprehensive support.
Support topics range from advice on the best product for a specific application, to care and maintenance of equipment such as pH electrodes; from help with programming a thermal cycler, to analysis and troubleshooting of customers’ data. Information relating to spare parts and accessories, manuals for older pieces of equipment, and application notes is also provided to help users get the best performance from their Jenway, Stuart and Techne products.
Circle no. 67
Global Water Safety Awareness
PerkinElmer, Inc is supporting international non-governmental organisation WaterAid with its environmental NexION webcast. With each download, PerkinElmer will donate $1 to the charity organisation, whose mission is to transform lives in the world’s poorest communities by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation.
By downloading the complimentary webcast, titled ‘The easiest and most cost-effective way to determine elements in environmental matrices by ICP-MS according to your regulations’, users can learn more about the role of the NexION 300 ICP- MS in ensuring compliance with European and U.S. environmental testing regulations. The webcast highlights the most beneficial approach for these different matrices through the discussion of classic equation, collision cell and true reaction cell interference removal techniques. Featuring examples of novel and integrated technical solutions, the webcast comprehensively covers the latest solutions available to achieve the highest throughput in inorganic determinations.
“ICP-MS is the ideal analytical tool for detecting low level metal concentrations in drinking and river water. Meeting both E.U. and U.S. EPA method requirements, NexION 300’s unique UCT allows scientists to easily select the most efficient interference removal mode to protect human health. Our support of WaterAid demonstrates our continued commitment to achieve better water standards globally,” explained Mike McGettigan, Vice President of Marketing, Analytical Sciences & Laboratory Services, PerkinElmer.
He added, “PerkinElmer is an active corporate citizen creating better outcomes in our communities and contributing to the improvement of human and environmental health across the world. Through community involvement, product stewardship and responsible business practices, the Company is committed to making a difference.”
Stand out
from the crowd... Contact:
sales@intlabmate.com
The NexIONTM 300 Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) advances and simplifies analysis of trace elements, helping address a range of global problems from air, water and food contamination to the integrity of pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements. Featuring patented Universal Cell TechnologyTM (UCT), the instrument is the only one of its kind with three modes of interference removal – standard, collision and dynamic reaction. Scientists can therefore choose the appropriate technique for their particular application, resulting in faster method development, higher capacity and more accurate results.
Circle no. 69
INTERNATIONAL LABMATE - MARCH 2011 - LABORATORY PRODUCTS
WWW.LABMATE-ONLINE.COM READ ALL THE LATEST NEWS ACCESS ARCHIVED ARTICLES FOLLOW LABMATE ON TWITTER
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 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
