Environmental Analysis 59 Fast Pandemic Detection Tool Ready to Fight Flu
Agilent Technologies (USA) announce researchers are developing new tools for rapidly characterising biological pathogens that could give rise to potentially deadly pandemics such as Influenza A (H1N1).
The first tool, an automated genotyping system, is a joint effort between Los Alamos National Laboratory, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Public Health and Agilent. This system will be utilised in the Global Bio Lab at UCLA and will use high-throughput technology for automated global-public-health surveillance.
The automated genotyping system, built to specification by Agilent, was delivered to Los Alamos in late May for verification of design and capability testing. The $1.7 million BioCel Automation System was designed in collaboration by Los Alamos and UCLA researchers, and professionals at Agilent’s Automation Solutions division, previously known as Velocity11. The system will be able to automatically determine the genetic sequence of viruses such as influenza hundreds of times faster than any other method available today.
By using this system and future high-throughput tools in pandemic response mode, public-health officials will be able to rapidly and reliably determine the strain of a virus, allowing more time for mitigation or containment strategies to be employed if necessary. Moreover, these BioCel systems will be useful in research mode for monitoring animal populations for the emergence of new and potentially deadly pathogens before the pathogens are able to infect humans. The UCLA Global Bio Lab will become part of the High Throughput Laboratory Network (HTLN). When built out, the network will provide an international and interconnected capacity that enables uniformity in testing methods - reducing the potential for errors or confusion arising from variable testing methodologies currently used.
“As the recent outbreak of the swine flu shows, we need to do a much more extensive and thorough job of surveillance,” said Dr. Tony Beugelsdijk, leader of the HTLN project at Los Alamos National Laboratory. “This program will provide the world with the tools for this task.”
“This system is the next-generation tool to rapidly and accurately test and identify biological pathogens in mass quantities of samples,” said Nick Roelofs, vice president and general manager of Agilent Life Sciences Solutions Unit. “Capable of performing tests 100 times faster than any current method, it will provide reliable, real-time data to the global health community. Given current health concerns about the swine flu, the system addressees an immediate and vital need in the public health arena.”
Agilent will deliver the system to UCLA, where researchers will operate the system for public health research and surveillance, and train others to use the new tool. If necessary, the system has surge capacity and the ability to test samples in response to a pandemic should the need arise.
Reader Reply Card no 212 New Compact Titrosampler – Unique in Size and Performance
Metrohm (Switzerland) has launched the 862 Compact Titrosampler. This new instrument combines an autosampler and a titrator on the footprint of a typical analytical balance. The 862 has been designed to become the new bench-mark in automated routine analysis. Forget lengthy system configuration and hours of user training. Plug-and-play functionalty, predefined titration methods and straight forward operation allow the system to be used immediately after installation.
The 862 Compact Titrosampler accommodates 12 sample beakers and allows various determinations to be carried out fully automatically, including cleaning and conditioning the electrode between the determinations. The new system features a large display, which allows the status of sample series to be followed via live titration curve. Sample series can be interrupted at any time to determine samples with higher priority.
The 862 Compact Titrosampler has a high-precision measuring input and as well as connections for an intelligent dosing unit, stirrer and USB printer. The plug-and-play functionality means that complicated configuration of the connected devices is no longer necessary. The 862 Compact Titrosampler can be operated by mouse click; various dialog options are available to adapt the instrument to the particular user.
Also available are the Food/Beverage Compact Titrosampler, which is a package for the most common applications in the food industry, and the Salt Compact Titrosampler, a complete package for the determination of chloride in a diversity of samples.
Reader Reply Card no 213 Wireless Transmitters Enable Accurate and Reliable Measurements
Omega’s (UK) new UW series wireless transmitters eliminate the need for expensive cable runs and enable accurate and reliable measurements in areas that were previously inaccessible to conventional measurement devices.
Transmitters are available for thermocouple and Pt100 signals, or with built in sensors for ambient temperature and humidity. Different models for office, laboratory, outdoor and heavy industrial environments make them suitable for most applications.
Receivers have a USB interface for ease of connection and use with a PC and the supplied software allows real-time display, graphing and logging of measured data from up to 48 transmitters.
Reader Reply Card no 214 New Entry-level Thermal Imager with Best in Class Image Quality
Fluke (Europe) is introducing a rugged entry-level Thermal Imager with best in class image quality. The 160 x 120 pixel resolution of Fluke’s Ti9 – three times that of competing imagers – shows more essential details.
The Fluke Ti9 brings accurate thermal imaging within the reach of many more electricians and technicians in industrial plants. The imager has a widescreen format color LCD display to show every detail. Users just point the instrument and pull the trigger to capture the full image. That saves valuable time, and greatly increases the speed of inspecting, repairing and verifying electrical and (electro) mechanical equipment.
Hot spots regularly indicate an imminent problem or equipment failure in
electrical equipment. Frontline electricians, usually under severe time pressure, must often rely on infrared thermometer measurements. However, these show only a single hot spot at a time, which is not enough for an accurate evaluation. Thermal imagers instead show the full picture instantly, with different colors representing different temperatures.
Reader Reply Card no 215 Reader Reply Card no 216
Annual Buyers Guide 2009
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