Breaking News on Laboratory Equipment

Vector Capital acquires Tripos Discovery Informatics

Tripos has announced the sale of its Discovery Informatics Business, as an initial step towards liquidation, in light of the current trend to low-cost Asian outsourcing.

New syringe-testing rig launched

A new syringe-testing rig has been launched by texture analysis equipment provider, Stable Micro Systems.

Scientists target costly wheat disease

Plant scientists have come closer to reducing the destructive effects of the virulent wheat disease, crown rot.

Tougher regulations boost lab information management systems growth

The necessity for drug manufacturers to comply with increasingly rigorous regulations is driving laboratory information management systems (LIMS) growth, according a new study.

Food science 'gap year' targets UK recruit crisis

A new initiative by a UK supermarket to send students on food discovery 'gap years' around the world aims to help plug a national shortage of food scientists.

Researchers devise method to search for breast cancer drugs

Scientists have found a computational method that charts chemical space in the search for new breast cancer treatments. The technique has already resulted in the discovery of compounds that have performed better than current standard antioestrogen drug tamoxifen.

Nanotechnology risks need more study, German survey finds

Clear definitions, terms and standards as well as far more research into the potential problems of nanotechnology is needed before the science is used to a greater degree in products, according to a consumer survey by Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).

Abcellute kidney cell preserver reaches Japanese market

A cell preservation solution that makes research using kidney cells easier to carry out, developed by UK firm Abcellute, has been made available on the Japanese market. Abcellute licensed Japanese rights to the product to GeneFrontier, introducing the product into the world's third-largest pharmaceutical market.

X-ray microscopes break the nanometre barrier

A new X-ray microscopy technique will enable scientists to view materials less than a nanometre in size. The development will help scientists visualise reactions at surfaces, such as corrosion and catalytic reactions, in real-time.

Bayer and Innogenetics launches HCV genotype assay

Bayer Diagnostics and Innogenetics have launched an assay that allows genotyping for the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), permitting broader identification of HCV genotypes with improved accuracy, not possible by current HCV genotyping products.

Unilever announces major food R&D reshuffle

Unilever plans to reshape its European foods R&D organisation in order to 'further enable differentiated innovation'.

Live at Emballage

Machine provides complete vaccum seal claims manufacturer

New packaging machines unveiled here in Paris provide a complete vaccum seal for trays, while remaining easy to open , claims its manufacturer.

PETA accuses Pfizer of denying animal testing pledge

Animal welfare group, PETA has reportedly targeted Pfizer, accusing them of also trying to avoid US animal welfare laws by exporting its animal testing to countries with no or poor animal welfare standards.

Live at Emballage

Decontamination method reduces chemical use

A decontamination process for packaging chilled products reduces the amount of chemicals needed for sterilization and increases shelf-life, claims its manufacturer.

Covance invests to gain edge in drug safety testing

Covance has invested in mass spectrometer technology that it hopes will give it the edge over other contract research organisations (CROs) in the safety testing of new drug candidates.

Cell culture system hailed as 'transforming cultivation'

Integra Biosciences is hailing its novel cell culture system as being responsible for dramatically transforming the effectiveness of small-scale antibody production.

How to handle a clinical trial crisis

Are you ready to handle a clinical trial crisis if it lands on your doorstep tomorrow?

Stick-on labels and scanner can improve food safety, claims manufacturer

Two food quality testing products from Massachusetts-based Food Quality Sensor International (FQSI) have been launched. One is a stick-on label that can detect contamination inside a sealed package from the outside, while the other is a handheld meter that scans food surfaces for contamination, their manufacturer claims.

US hit by major Bayer consolidation

Bayer has announced major global consolidation plans as it prepares to absorb its newly-acquired German rival, Schering.

New cost-cutting polymers invented

General Electric (GE) has launched a range of ultra-high-performance plastics that it claims will answer the need for cost-effective injection moldable resin.

Sunnex mounts assault on particles

Sunnex has launched a new range of stainless steel machinery mounts for pharma manufacturing equipment that are said to cut particle emissions.

eClinical creeps across the globe

It has been another few weeks of activity for the budding eClinical industry as sponsors across the globe continue to move away from paper toward electronic reporting in clinical trials.

Modular belt designed for hygiene, claims manufacturer

A new modular belt uses less links, reducing the risk of contamination, claims its manufacturer.

Covance, Kendle win CRO accolades

Covance and Kendle have won two industry accolades as part of Frost & Sullivan's 2006 Best Practices Awards.

Oxoid updates contact plate design

Oxoid has introduced a new plate design for the Oxoid range of Contact Plates, which aims to make the microbiological testing of surfaces even easier to store, handle and use.

Millipore launches smaller batch processing tool

Millipore has introduced a new size of its single-use prefilter for clarification steps in mammalian cell culture that is capable of processing smaller bioreactor batches.

ESA introduces detector for fast HPLC

ESA Analytical introduces its latest ultra-high sensitivity detector for fast HPLC, which provides laboratories with the ability to monitor HPLC eluants down to miniscule detection levels.

New coalition campaigns to tighten animal testing legislation

A group of researchers have come together to form a coalition, which aims to campaign for the revision directives on the protection of animals used for scientific research.

Valois steps up cleanroom productivity

Valois has made two major instrument investments that will allow it to dramatically increase productivity as it dons the diving suit to undertake environmental testing in its cleanrooms.

DPT Labs enlarges formulation offering

The opening of new R&D, manufacturing and distribution facilities has allowed DPT Laboratories to enlarge its formulation development and analytical chemistry offerings.

Charles River latest CRO to muscle in on Phase I

Charles River Laboratories is the latest in a series of large contract research organisations making acquisitions to beef up their Phase I capacity as this market sector remains hot.

New thermometer scans food surfaces for critical readings

A new food safety thermometer can scan the surface of hot and cold foods, displaying results instantly, its manufacturer claims.

Picking robot achieves new speed records, manufacturer claims

A new high-speed picking robot for packaging foods is designed to withstand thefrequent washing downs and harsh cleaning chemicals used in the industry, its manufacturer claims.

Tecan release new 96-well format application platform

Tecan release their latest platform that provides reliability and flexibility for a range of 96-well format applications, including washing of ELISAs, cellular assays and protein arrays, and vacuum filtration-to-waste, such as for PCR clean up.

Automated test speeds up contamination enumeration

The first automated test for enumerating Enterobacteriaceae will slash confirmation time dramatically, the manufacturer claims.

Life sciences salaries soar

Salaries in the US life sciences industry have soared this year to reach $74,000 (€58,000) on average as more companies seek to attract and retain top talent by offering competitive remuneration packages, according to the Scientist's latest salary survey.

Antimicrobial flooring to avoid contamination

A new improved range of urethane-based floor systems that is claimed to help pharma manufacturers reduce the level of bacteria contamination in their production environment has been launched.

CROs driving up drug costs, says report

Rising contract research organisation (CRO) and investigator fees are being blamed in a new report as largely contributing to the skyrocketing cost of new drugs.

Sterile bioreactor sampling system unveiled

A new method of preventing bioreactor contamination when sampling has been unveiled by UK firm Cellexus Biosystems.

ProImmune launches tool for T-cell detection

ProImmune has introduced a tool for evaluating and characterising CD4+ single antigen-specific T cells, enabling evaluation of the T cell immune response in a range of disease areas including, autoimmune disease, cancer and infectious diseases.

Acting FDA commissioner gives microdosing approval

The acting US FDA commissioner has given his endorsement to human microdosing studies for drug development in a show of backing that indicates the Agency is open to receive Exploratory IND applications to accelerate drug development.

Live at PackExpo

Fluid extraction system helps eliminate waste

A new automated extraction system increases the amount of high viscosity fluids that can be removed from bulk bag-in-box packages, its manufacturer claims.

WHO needs to do more to combat XDR-TB, claims report

According to the international medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the World Health Organisation (WHO) has failed to address the emergence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis.

TechNature upgrades packaging and processing facilities

TechNature, a company specialising in natural powdered ingredients for the cosmetics industry and based in France, says it has invested in new technology that allows it to individually package a spectrum of different ingredients and products quickly and efficiently, according to individual requirements.

Solvay extends Quintiles partnership

Solvay Pharmaceuticals said it has decided to renew its clinical development contract with Quintiles for further five years.