Breaking News on Laboratory Equipment

Illumina ups genotyping data quality with BeadChip

Illumina has introduced two new genotyping BeadChips that offers the highest data quality of any genotyping array currently available, with call rates that routinely exceed 99 per cent, reproducibility and accuracy approaching 100 per cent.

HollisterStier doubles capacity and lab space

Contract manufacturer of sterile injectable products HollisterStier has outlined plans to double its production capacity and laboratory facilities, as it responds to increasing demand.

Upstate and Cisbio launches kinase assay kits

Upstate and Cisbio have announced the launch of an assay for Serine/Threonine kinase screening that offers simplified kinase assay development, which allows for profiling and high-throughput screening (HTS) on a large range of Ser/Thr kinases, major targets in drug discovery.

Has new technology hampered R&D productivity?

Despite the technological breakthroughs that have enhanced the R&D capabilities of pharmaceutical companies, drug research and development is facing a major problem as R&D productivity in the last decade is at a historical low despite recent innovations.

Virus detecting technique designed for molluscs

A new laboratory technique could dramatically cut the millions of cases of food poisoning caused every year by eating molluscs such as oysters.

Elsevier launches drug analysis laboratory tool

Elsevier have launched a drug tracking and analysis tool that is set to greatly benefit laboratory researchers working in the pharmaceutical and biotech professionals by bringing together drug characteristics and status within a database.

Affymetrix announces new ChIP-On-Chip array range

Affymetrix introduces its new ChIP-On-Chip array product line that its designers hope will provide drug researchers with new whole-genome tools to assist scientists discover DNA-Protein interactions.

Swabs pick up tough bacteria that survive cleaning

Biotrace International has released a range of sponges or swabs to help food companies pick up harmful bacteria that have survived the cleaning process.

New laboratory approach to treat Parkinson's

A simple laboratory method to treat Parkinson's disease, which involves electric currents, has been developed by researchers, who believe the use of this method will reduce or eliminate the need to treat this disorder with drug therapies.

Millipore adds a new system to its Ultrapure range

Millipore took the opportunity to announce the availability of the new Milli-Q Advantage system, which has been designed to meet the ultrapure water quality needs of the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and clinical sectors.

Thermo upgrades monitoring functionality to meet R&D needs

Thermo Electron, provider of analytical instruments and informatics for the food and beverage industry is about to unveil the latest upgrades to its processing monitor equipment in Europe.

Cognis acquires polymer specialist

Germany-based Cognis has acquired UK polymer specialist Cosmetic Rheologies, a move that enhances its position as a full-range specialties supplier to the cosmetics industry.

North American fine chemicals market to reach $28.62bn in 2011

Despite hurdles such as manufacturing overcapacity, limited drug approvals and intense competition from Asian companies, a new report from market research analysts Frost & Sullivan predicts revenues in the North American fine chemicals sector will grow from $21.29bn (€17.78bn) in 2005 to reach $28.62bn in 2011, driven by the production restructuring announced by pharmaceutical majors.

Printer designed for coding dairy products

A printer has been launched on the market specifically designed for coding dairy products.

New gene variant lab discovery explains cancer risk increase

A new discovery paves the way for new laboratory cancer research after scientists have been able to explain just how a gene variant carried in 15 per cent of the population may increase the risk of developing cancer.

EU approves alternatives to animal testing of drugs

The European Union has approved new alternatives to animal testing of drugs and chemicals, which will not only reduce the number of animals needed for testing, but will also increase the accuracy of the tests, thereby making the products concerned safer.

Malvern targets particle size analysis of inhalers

Analytical instrumentation supplier Malvern has introduced a new inhalation cell for its Spraytec system for particle size analysis of aerosols and sprays, allowing the rapid characterisation of systems such as dry powder inhalers (DPIs), metered dose inhalers (MDIs) and nebulisers.

Shimadzu introduces latest ICP spectrometer

Shimadzu have introduced its latest emission spectrometer, which has been designed for use in pharmaceutical research and development whilst reducing reduced running-costs and high sensitivity and low contamination.

Discovery of dry skin gene could lead to new treatments

Scientists at the University of Dundee say they have discovered the gene that causes dry skin, something that could lead to a marked turn around in a host of treatments for related conditions.

Analysis kits for water soluble vitamins receive certification

A scientific organisation has certified analysis kits for testing water soluble vitamins in foods.

New high-end spectroscopy technology from Princeton

Princeton Instruments/Acton has unveiled its new sensor technology that it claims will revolutionise the world of spectroscopy and triple the speed of current devices.

Thermo speeds LC-MS/MS analysis up

Thermo has upped the stakes at the Pittcon exposition taking place this week in Orlando by unveiling QuickQuan, a fully automated, high-throughput software solution for the analysis of chemically diverse compounds, speeding up the pace of drug discovery to record levels through intelligent automation.

Scientists map out action plan on food industry research

The EU's researchers have received funding to map out a course of action on developing food production in the bloc.

Scientists discover small molecules up Botox efficacy

US researchers say they have discovered several small molecules that can 'superactivate' botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), which in turn could greatly improve its effectiveness as an anti-wrinkle treatment.

Protein lab test could spot MS early

A new laboratory method, which looks for a spinal fluid protein, may identify people with the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis (MS), greatly increasing the effectiveness of drug therapies to treat the 10,000 Americans, who are diagnosed with MS each year.

Race in light-based drug validation heats up

In what is shaping up to be a new promising area in the verification of drugs, Analytical Spectral Devices (ASD) has received another patent for its RxSpec technology which uses near infrared spectroscopy (IR), as rival company CDEX is also targeting the market.

Consumer confidence in food safety on the rise?

Consumer confidence in food safety in the UK is recovering from the low levels it had reached last year after the Sudan 1 food scare, according to a new survey.

Bitter taste markers determine vegetable intake

More attention should be paid to taste and sensory qualities of vegetables if consumers are to increase their intake and meet diet recommendations, researchers say.

Bruker Daltonics introduces new molecular imager

Bruker Daltonics announces the release of its MALDI Molecular Imager, a system for in-vitro imaging of peptide and protein biomarker distributions in tissue sections and cell clusters. The imager addresses the need for high-sensitivity imaging of the spatial distribution of protein biomarkers in clinical research.

Ometric goes real-time at Pittcon

Analytical technology company Ometric has demonstrated real-time, in-line compliance testing of powders and instantaneous monitoring of blending of pharmaceuticals with its SpectrInline Processware system at the Pittcon exposition currently taking place in Orlando, showing it can minimise recalls, reduce waste caused by time lag, and save resources involved in current sample testing.

Scientists develop novel oral cancer lab test

The first clinical laboratory based test for saliva-based oral cancer detection has been developed by scientists, who believe that the clinical value this test demonstrates, could reduce the 350,000 - 400,000 new cases recorded each year worldwide.

Commission issues proposals on international food safety standards

The European Commission has issued a series of comments on proposed changes to the UN's international food safety standards on such issues as labelling and microbiological risk.

Chemicon and SCS launch stem cell producing medium

Stem Cell Sciences have launched the first complete, defined medium that enables the large-scale, consistent production of mouse ES cells. The announcement closely follows the formation of an exclusive agreement completed last year between the two companies.

FEI and Sidec enter protein tomography deal

FEI and Sidec have entered into an agreement to commercialise a range of Protein Tomography solutions that could provide drug companies with services that could increase the chances of success in early stage drug development.

Warwick introduces service to measure optical activity

Warwick Analytical Services has made available a service that allows the investigation and measurement of the optical activity of samples with an accuracy of +/- 0.002 degrees for optical rotations of less than 1 degree.

New lab method identifies microbes rapidly

A new laboratory method for distinguishing pathogens from harmless relatives has been developed by scientists in the US. The high-throughput technique will enable the quick identification of pathogens, which could be used for bioterror weapons.

Microbiologists meet to discuss role in fighting disease

Microbiology experts from across Europe are meeting in Cardiff, Wales today to discuss how to improve the fight against food borne bacteria such as E. coli O157, and diseases such as avian influenza.

Velocity11 introduces automated benchtop system

Velocity11 make available a benchtop microplate handling system that claims to provide the features and flexibility of much larger and more expensive automation platforms.

Scientist's pro-animal test comments court controversy

A UK-based scientist has stirred up controversy in Europe following comments made in a media interview that he supports animal testing for the development of cosmetic products.

Isopak unveils new dosing filler system

British equipment supplier Isopak has launched a new pharmaceutical dosing filler system for powders and granules, quickly and accurately offering the doses required.

New chip targets improved citrus flavour

Scientists have developed a chip that can improve the flavour of citrus varieties, which could have consequences for the growing natural flavours sector.

Ambion offers new MicroRNA profiling service

Complete data analysis in the time it takes many laboratories to take the first steps. This is what Ambion is offering with its new microRNA expression profiling service, claimed to surpass any similar offerings in the market.

Anachem's unique support for scientific instruments

Anachem has just kicked off a unique new European-wide support and maintenance service for scientific instruments - the first of its kind - aimed to help instrumentation suppliers wanting to grow their sales in Europe.

Millipore offers more hydrophilic PTFE membranes

Millipore, a maker of purification systems used in drug manufacturing, has expanded its range of hydrophilic Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes, enabling it to offer filters for virtually all solvents, acids, and alkaline solutions.

In-PharmaTechnologist Special Report

Has the milk gone sour for transgenic drugs?

The rejection by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) of ATryn has given the biotech industry some unappetising food for thought.

Electronic Sensor Technology sniffs out new business

California-based Electronic Sensor Technology, provider of fast vapor analyzers, is benefiting from recent restrictions in California Air Quality and Nuisance Odor laws that require bad-odor-causing industries to measure and control their emissions.

L'Oreal builds on skin testing capabilities

L'Oreal is extending its research and development capabilities in the area of reconstructed skin with the acquisition of the company SkinEthic through its subsidiary Episkin. The move will help it develop more accurate testing capabilities for a range of skin care products, particularly UV sunscreens.