33 Accreditation Signifying Technical Expertise


Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), provider of innovative clinical genetics and diagnostic solutions to advance molecular medicine, announced that its Genefficiency™ and CytoSure™ array comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) services have been accredited as meeting ISO/IEC 17025:2005 international standards by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). The award underlines the superior level of expertise and quality control in the company’s laboratories and allows identification of OGT as a high-quality supplier of fully validated aCGH services. The endorsement is one of a trio recently achieved by the company, forming part of a programme of initiatives aimed at providing independent affirmation of OGT’s working practices. This new accreditation aligns with the recently received ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications, highlighting OGT’s dedication to the maintenance of high-quality management processes and stringent information security.


Dr Mike Evans, OGT’s CEO, commented: “Accreditation of OGT’s Genefficiency and CytoSure aCGH services further emphasises the company’s commitment to offering customers the best and most reliable solutions possible. It also proves that the company can provide the necessary structure and skills to offer its specialist services as part of a clinical diagnostic workflow.” The ISO 17025 standard relates to laboratory testing, including the competence of laboratory staff, validity and traceability of technical results, as well as proficiency in testing using standard and laboratory-developed methods. The accreditation was awarded to OGT after a detailed external audit by UKAS that covered sample tracking and processing, data analysis, quality control, traceability, business continuity, staff training, as well as OGT’s general quality and security policies


Circle no. 122 ADVERTORIAL


National Physical Laboratory Selects System For Studies in Nanoparticle Characterisation


Wireless Communication with Data Loggers all Over the World


Distributed Level Measurements Via the GSM Network


2 MI PAA 153 2 MI PA 100


2 MI PA 180 2 MI PA 130


The National Physical Laboratory routinely looks at emerging techniques to evaluate their performance for the quantitative characterisation of nanomaterials. Nanoparticles are a current area of intense scientific research, as they are a bridge between atomic and bulk structures. NPL is coordinating a network of European national metrology institutes to provide new traceable standards and procedures to determine the size, shape and distribution of nanoparticles with an accuracy of better than 1nm. Many methods including Electron Microscopy (SEM and TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) are being used to investigate the particle size, shape and their physical properties. One of the tasks of Dr Alexandre Cuenat as part of the Materials team at NPL is measuring and modelling of materials interactions at the nanoscale. Each measurement technique has specific applications, and for an organisation like NPL, it is important to understand all of them, their advantages and limitations.


For Dr Cuenat, working with NanoSight’s unique NTA methodology to study nanoparticles in liquids shows particular bonuses compared to other techniques: “Ruggedness, ease of use and reproducibility are all very important to us as many scientists will come to use the different techniques. The fact that NTA images, counts and sizes individual particles means it produces size distribution that cannot be observed otherwise. NTA is useful when studying polydisperse materials in the range of ~20nm up to particles of one micron. NPL has looked at a variety of calibration materials such as zinc oxide, silica, gold and silver nanoparticles and we have successfully characterised these even when problems with sample agglomeration have been observed.” NanoSight has benefited from this recognition by NPL in that as new methods are developed whether for life science or materials applications, traceability of results and the development of standard operating practices are becoming central to success. As NanoSight CEO, Jeremy Warren observed: “More and more of our users are looking to extend the use of NTA beyond the research environment into routine analytical and quality assurance testing so to see our technology being used at the NPL is extremely important to us.”


Circle no. 123


2 MI PA 130


Keller AG für Druckmesstechnik has now developed a universal, energy-optimised radio module with integrated data logger. The GSM-2 remote data transmission unit and the free PC software allow you to conveniently observe levels, measurements and trends and monitor limits from the comfort of your office. This applies to groundwater levels, waste water levels and the filling levels of mobile tanks on vehicles. However, it also applies to completely different measurements from appropriate sensors with suitable output signals.


The cylindrical design of the GSM-2 with a diameter of just 48 mm has been chosen so that the data logger, which ”self-dials” in accordance with user requirements, can simply be placed in the top of a normal 2-inch diameter sounding pipe that is used in groundwater measuring equipment. Installation takes a matter of seconds. The housing is designed to withstand condensation and being under water for short periods. The GSM antenna is covered with a lockable covering cap made from solid plastic. The data logger is therefore protected from theft and vandalism when level measurements are being taken outdoors.


Equipped with energy-efficient electronics and a robust lithium battery (3.9 V/32 Ah), the logger can send the results of 24 measurements to a PC at headquarters for up to 10 years by e- mail, or transfer them to a mobile phone via SMS. The maximum measuring speed is 1 measurement per minute. Two voltage inputs (0 - 2.5 V), 2 digital inputs, a BUS interface (RS 485) for operating up to 5 level sensors or optionally the SDI12 interface for water analysis units make the GSM-2 data logger a universal data acquisition module for wide area measuring networks.


An air pressure sensor and a temperature sensor are already integrated in the GSM-2, especially for taking level measurements using pressure sensors with long-term stability such as the Keller 30 series. The actual sensor no longer has to be connected to the ambient air via a capillary tube in the supply cable. The measuring accuracies that can be achieved from the difference between the probe signal and the air pressure signal are within the range of a few millimetres.


Circle no. 124


Pressure Catheter


Hydrodynamic & Aerodynamic Pressure Measurement SIZE PROBLEMS?


High tech miniature pressure sensors for various applications


Ø 2…6 mm


www.keller-druck.com Circle no. 125


INTERNATIONAL LABMATE - MARCH 2011 - LABORATORY PRODUCTS


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