Spotlight LIMS & Lab Automation Advancing FluoView Functionality
Olympus has introduced FV10-ASW 3.0, the latest version of its software for the FluoView FV1000 range of confocal laser scanning microscopes (cLSM) and Fluoview FV1000MPE (multiphoton excitation) systems. By incorporating high dynamic range imaging (HDRI), a greater dynamic range of fluorescence between the lightest and darkest areas of a sample is obtained. Furthermore, signal to noise ratios are minimised, enabling clear, highly resolved images to be easily captured. Additional functionality, such as partial stitching with multi area time lapse imaging, and channel un- mixing for the FluoView FV1000MPE systems, provides advanced flexibility for obtaining the best possible LSM images, every time. The new software is also fully compatible with Microsoft Windows 7. As an advanced image composition technique, HDRI provides users with a powerful tool to achieve high-quality images with outstanding contrast and no saturation. By effectively merging multiple images captured under different exposure settings, the final image provides outstanding clarity, with the ability to visualise even the more challenging cellular components. With advanced multi area time-lapse functionality, version 3.0 of the FV10-ASW software allows users to select specific areas of the whole sample, which can be chosen and stitched together with ease. This time saving function is key in allowing the quick and simple analysis of specific regions of interest.
With specific advances for the FV1000MPE systems, the non-descanned detectors, which enable users to cover every multiphoton excitation requirement and acquire maximum fluorescence output, can now also be used for channel un-mixing. As a result, users can perform spectral un-mixing of multi-colour samples, even those with significant spectral emission cross over. A laser limiter also sets upper intensity boundaries to avoid over stimulation of sensitive samples, thus ensuring that cellular integrity is maintained. The Olympus FluoView FV1000 microscope systems incorporate a unique SIM scanner concept with two independent, fully synchronised laser scanners in a single, compact design. This enables simultaneous, high-resolution confocal observation. The advanced optical detection system of the FV1000 provides superior linear spectral distribution throughout the wavelength range of 400 to 800nm. Based on the FluoView FV1000 cLSM, the FV1000MPE system for deep in vivo imaging of live and thick slice samples is available in three different models. Each incorporates Olympus’s market leading components such as the UIS2 optics. The systems are fully configured to ensure the best excitation efficiency, allowing accurate imaging hundreds of microns deep into a specimen. Researchers can therefore achieve in vivo optical sectioning, without causing any significant photobleaching or phototoxicity.
Circle no. 383
High Throughput Integrated Automation Platforms
Agilent Automation Solutions has announced new accessories for its BioCel System that deliver increased productivity, accessibility, and configuration flexibility.
The new accessories for the BioCel System include the Agilent Labware MiniHub for presenting and storing SBS-format labware, a removable plate hotel, sliding shelves for devices up to 80 pounds, and a new ultra high speed incubator.
The new accessibility features for the BioCel System enable easier maintenance and offline use of devices. They also provide increased mobility and flexibility that permits you to rapidly re- configure robotic platforms to your assay needs.
The Agilent BioCel System automates any microplate-based protocol providing maximum walk-away time and throughput, all in the most compact design. With modular cells, options for various enclosures, and environmental control, BioCel Systems can be tailored to meet individual needs. Operated by Agilent VWorks software, the most flexible and efficient scheduling software available, BioCel Systems deliver the longest walk away time and throughput of any integrated system.
Circle no. 385
Software Helps Reliably Analyse Unknown Samples
X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) has established itself as a fast and simple analytical procedure. But, the method can only fully take advantage of its strengths when the matrix of the sample is known. If this is not the case, then the TurboQuant software for automatic matrix effect correction, developed by Spectro Analytical Instruments, can help. A new video available online demonstrates the power of the software solution. A great advantage to XRF screenings is the possibility of measuring the samples with minimal sample preparation. Unfortunately, a number of sample dependent matrix effects influences the accuracy of the analytical results. “The measurement results are only truly reliable if the instrument recognises the matrix of the sample and can take it into account during the analysis,” explained Dirk Wissmann, Product Manager for XRF at Spectro. “Whether a liquid is oily or aqueous, whoever tries to analyse without any previous knowledge of the sample, must expect large deviations.”
The TurboQuant software developed by Spectro makes exact knowledge of the composition of the matrix unnecessary. The software recognises the matrix specific backscatter from the sample and automatically determines the sample matrix. “TurboQuant only needs to know the physical condition – solid, powder or liquid – of the sample, in order to achieve acceptable accuracy for even completely unknown samples,” reported Dirk Wissmann. For environments analysis, for example, the software is used in the Spectro XEPOS XRF flagship for the examination of soil samples, electronics scrap or alternative fuels.
Circle no. 384 Software as a Service
Quality Systems International Corporation (QSI) introduced WinLIMS Cloud Edition - a ‘Software as a Service’ (SaaS) option for its world class WinLIMS software. WinLIMS Cloud Edition is a web-based, remote-hosted application that allows laboratories to implement and use WinLIMS software while offloading system hosting and maintenance, reducing the need for internal IT resources. A tiered service structure starts with a remote-hosted system maintained and supported by QSI engineers. Additional service tiers are offered by QSI that include custom screen configuration, custom report design, software and database update management, data management, documentation, and training. Service tier options allow users to select the level of features, convenience, and pricing that best fits their organisation’s staffing and budget requirements. WinLIMS Cloud Edition’s enhanced web-based architecture ensures access to the software through most popular computing devices including notebooks, tablet PCs, and PDAs using a fully-functional browser such as Internet Explorer, Safari, or Firefox.
Circle no. 386
Next Generation Lims Software Reveals Simple, User-Friendly Run Manager Interface Solution
Innovative LIMS developer, Two Fold Software Ltd, has enhanced the interface design and user friendliness of the Run Manager software module of its Qualoupe next generation of LIMS solution to enable users to rapidly setup queues of samples to be processed through a specific laboratory instrument for a given method. “All good LIMS have a Run Manager capability but for many the process is fiddly and slow to operate. In line with our intuitive user interface we have strived to make the creation of these runs simple,” explained Paul Bateman, Two Fold Software’s Business Development Manager. “The user only has to select the instrument and method upon which the system will show the available samples to be processed. The solution also identifies any QC related samples associated with the method.”
With Qualoupe’s Run Manager solution the QC related samples can be recorded and coded as a number of types such as calibration, control, reference, and standards. The actual samples and any QC samples can then be placed into the queue in the appropriate positions.
“Once the run has been processed through the laboratory instrument the results are automatically acquired and the samples updated with the results,” explained Bateman. “With most LIMS that is the end of the process, however we found when discussing the users requirement prior to creating this application many users wanted to be able to review all of the results for the run and also be able to filter the results by sample, result parameter and results status. “So we created a dynamic cross tab view which displayed the samples processed in rows with each result parameter being displayed in columns. The solution means that irrespective of the number of samples or results parameters a cross tab can be formed and if the samples and results parameters exceed the screen size, scroll bars appear to enable the results to be navigated more easily. The cross tab view is a remarkable tool for reviewing sample results for the run.”Qualoupe Run Manager is designed to filter the data by using simple one click checkboxes, which gives valuable flexibility to the view. The cells are also colour coded to indicate the results status. White is in specification, amber is out of specification but are non failing result parameters while red represents a failing results parameter that is out of specification. The actual status is also displayed. By clicking on the status a user is able to view any specification attached to the result, the full audit trail, sample status history and any remarks.
Circle no. 387
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