LPN December 2015

>>>

NEW LAB SPURS NEW GROWTH

6 >>>

SCIENTISTS REDEFINE HOW BLOOD IS MADE 5

>>>

SAMPLE PREP FOR DRUGS OF ABUSE TESTING 9

>>>

DECEMBER 2015

labcanada.com TRACKING CELLULAR CHANGES IN BREAST CANCER 3

Where Innovation Goes to Play.

Pittcon is the leading conference and exposition for the latest advances in Laboratory Science. Attending Pittcon gives you a unique opportunity to get a hands-on look at cutting-edge

March 6-10, 2016 Atlanta, GA Georgia World Congress Center

www.pittcon.org Follow us for special announcements

product innovations from leading companies. Participate in any of the more than 2,000 technical presentations to learn about recent discoveries from world-renowned members of the scientific community. Improve or develop your skills by taking a short course taught by industry experts.

In This Issue

>>> >>> >>> >>>

3

7 SPECTROSCOPY

9

INDUSTRY NEWS

SAMPLE PREP

13 LIFE SCIENCES

14 INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

>>> >>>

16 WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

On the cover: Standing, left to right, Jeff Smirle, Carlton Mass Spectrometry Centre business manager and Josh Larocque, founder of Broadhead Brewery. Karl Wasslen, CMSC Operations manager is seated.

Cover image credit: Chris Roussakis

Quality

in product

precision in process

strength in people

• Extensive application experience.

• Laboratory layout, design and planning capabilities.

• Excellent on time delivery performance.

• Extensive line of high quality flexible, mobile & fixed laboratory furniture systems.

• Standard, “high performance” & custom fume hoods all designed for wide variety of laboratory applications.

• Ability to meet customers’ exact needs including special requirements.

• Canada wide coverage. mADE IN CANADA

...more than just laboratory furniture

So when you require a solution to your laboratory needs ... think of...

5230 south service road, Burlington on l7l 5K2 phone: (905) 331-1877 3110 avenue Francis-hughes, laval, Quebec h7l 5a7 phone: (450) 663-2525

www.mottlab.com For more details click # 113 on www.labcanada.com/rsc

page page73

Industry News

TRACKING CELLULAR CHANGES IN BREAST CANCER

A

team of scientists at the BC Cancer Agency and the University of British Columbia have made an important advance towards understanding the cellular changes that can lead to human breast

cancer.

Published in print this month in Nature, the study shows that introducing a single mutant gene into cells isolated from normal human breast tissue can quickly cause them to form continuously growing breast cancers in mice that lack an immune system. This finding was a surprise as it disproved the longstanding assumption that the development of human breast cancer requires a long time to accumulate multiple genetic changes.

By the time a breast cancer first Senior author Dr. Connie Eaves is a recognized world authority on breast stem cells.

Image courtesy of BC Cancer Agency.

becomes apparent, it often already contains a mixture of

>>>

December 2015

>>> INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

LAB PRODUCTS

Annonce_uk_276x210:Mise en page 1

4/02/14

12:35

Page 1

www.goodfellow.com

Metals and materials for research 70 000 PRODUCTS

SMALL QUANTITIES

Goodfellow Cambridge Limited Ermine Business Park Huntingdon PE29 6WR UK Tel: 0800 731 4653 or +44 1480 424 800 Fax: 0800 328 7689 or +44 1480 424 900 info@goodfellow.com

FAST DELIVERY

CUSTOM FABRICATION

ON-LINE CATALOGUE

page page94

Industry News

cell populations with different features and different responses to existing therapies. It has therefore been difficult to determine how these different features are acquired. In this study, the researchers used a novel method called DNA barcoding that allowed them to track the growth of individually transformed cells after they were transplanted together into a single mouse. This allowed the researchers to observe how breast cells change their growth even before they have become fully malignant.

“We are excited to have developed an approach that, for the first time, makes it feasible to study the initial changes that cause a normal human breast cell to become malignant,” said senior author Dr. Connie Eaves, distinguished scientist at the BC Cancer Agency and a professor in UBC’s Department of Medical Genetics.“This is important because this methodology can now be widely used to perform experiments that were previously thought to be impossible.”

The research was performed in Vancouver at the BC Cancer Agency’s Terry Fox Laboratory.

December 2015

>>> INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

LAB PRODUCTS

Vacuum Pump Sales & Repair • Only certified Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum Repair Facility in Canada • Fully equipped state-of-the-art vacuum pump repair facility • Servicing all major makes and models • Consistent, high-quality repairs with fast turnaround to get you up and running • We can also provide consultation on your pump system requirements • Free pick-up and delivery in the GTA

Providing Technology Solutions

Intlvac Inc. 247 Armstrong Ave, Halton Hills, ON, L7G 4X6 P: 905.873.0166 TF: 800.959.5517 www.intlvac.ca

FreeStyle ( Bee Free! ) Let FreeStyle Automated Sample Clean-up system do all the busy work.

SPE, GPC, Immunoaffinity Columns, Concentration & Fractionation. Flexibility in the lab that frees-up time for you! www.pickeringlabs.com

CATALYST FOR SUCCESS

page 5

Industry News

SCIENTISTS REDEFINE HOW BLOOD IS MADE

S

tem-cell scientists at Toronto’s University Health Network have discovered a completely new view of how human blood is made, upending conventional dogma from the1960s.

The findings, published recently in Science, prove “that the whole classic

‘textbook’ view we thought we knew doesn’t actually even exist,” said Dr. John Dick, principal investigator and senior scientist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network (UHN), as well as professor

>>>

Video pic and link: See Dr. Dick discuss the research findings.

Dr. John Dick (CNW Group/University Health Network).

December 2015

>>> INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

LAB PRODUCTS

Industry News

in the Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto.

“Instead, through a series of experiments we have been able to finally resolve how different kinds of blood cells form quickly from the stem cell – the most potent blood cell in the system – and not further downstream as has been traditionally thought,” said Dr. Dick, who holds a Canada research chair in stem cell biology and is director of the Cancer Stem Cell Program at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research.

The research also topples the textbook view that the blood development system is stable once formed. Not so, he said.“Our findings show that the blood system is two-tiered and changes between early human development and adulthood.”

Co-authors Dr. Faiyaz Notta and Dr. Sasan Zandi write that in redefining the architecture of blood development, the research team mapped the lineage potential of nearly 3,000 single cells from 33 different cell populations of stem and progenitor cells obtained from human blood samples taken at various life stages and ages.

“Our discovery means we will be able to understand far better a wide variety of human blood disorders and diseases – from anemia, where there are not enough blood cells, to leukemia, where there are too many blood cells,” said Dr. Dick. “Think of it as moving from the old world of black-and-white television into the new world of high definition.”

Visit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

>>>

page 6

Spectroscopy

Pictured left to right: Jeff Smirle, CMSC business manager; Josh Larocque, founder of Broadhead Brewery; Jeff Smith, CMSC director; and Karl Wasslen, CMSC Operations manager.

Image credit: Chris Roussakis.

New LAB spurs new GROWTH A recently opened analytical research facility is breaking new ground, both with its scientific technology and with the services it is offering to private industry.

BY LESLIE BURT, EDITOR/PUBLISHER, LAB PRODUCT NEWS

A

long with celebrating its official opening at Carleton University in Ottawa in late September, the Carleton Mass Spectrometry Centre (CMSC) celebrated the early success of a new growth model it

has initiated, which offers a fresh approach to cooperation between

>>>

December 2015

>>> LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

Spectroscopy

Standing, left to right: Jeff Smirle, CMSC business manager and Josh Larocque, founder of Broadhead Brewery. Karl Wasslen, CMSC Operations manager is seated.

Image credit: Chris Roussakis.

­academia and industry.

Located in the university’s department of chemistry, the CMSC began as a partnership with Agilent Technologies. The state-of-art centre houses nine mass spectrometers – seven are coupled to high performance liquid chromatography systems, and two are coupled to gas chromatography systems – along with bioinformatics tools.

Jeff Smith, an associate professor in the university’s chemistry department and the CMSC’s director, uses mass spec for medical applications, Visit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

>>>

page 7

such as studying how proteins react to diseases and how they respond to certain treatments.

The centre is using a new analytical method developed by Smith and Jeff Manthorpe, who is associate professor of synthetic organic chemistry at the university. Known as TrEnDi (trimethylation enhancement using diazomethane), the method increases the sensitivity of mass spec analyses by assigning a fixed, permanent positive charge to amino groups. It allows for increased sequence coverage and peptide detection in proteomics analyses, and better detection in metabolomics and lipidomics analyses.

“This partnership will enable Agilent to develop innovative mass spectrometry-based omics workflows for life science research,” said Steve Fischer, Agilent’s marketing director, academia and government.“It will make possible new biological discoveries using integrated biology to understand the mechanisms of disease.”

Innovative partnerships Beyond this academic work, which also includes the research of some three dozen colleagues from Carlton, Smith decided to seek partnerships with private manufacturers. By partnering with industry, he believed it would help to open up new avenues for research funding, monetize the downtime when the instruments would otherwise be sitting idle, and provide industrial partners with cost-effective access to the most advanced

>>>

technology.

December 2015

>>> LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

Spectroscopy

Image credit: Chris Roussakis.

With this creative approach,“scientists will be able to use the sophisticated technologies in our centre to advance their research into small

molecules, proteomics, metabolomics and lipidomics,” he said.“With advanced instrumentation and application support from Agilent, we hope to promote new discoveries in biochemistry with the potential to transform medicine, agriculture and industry.”

To that end, he hired Jeff Smirle as the CMSC’s business manager, who began approaching potential industrial partners, including a local craft brewery called Broadhead Brewing Company. A partnership was formed, and is supported by a $25,000 grant from the Natural Sciences and EngiVisit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

>>>

page 8

neering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Image credit: Chris Roussakis.

The partners are now in the middle of a six-month project analyzing Broadhead beers for a number of factors including chemical composition, container efficiency and more. Mass spectrometry is being used to obtain the molecular fingerprint of beer right out of the tank with an optimal taste. By analyzing how the chemistry changes over time at a range of temperatures and in different types of containers, the brewery will be better able to advise its distributors and customers how to store the product optimally. “We would not have been able to get this type of detailed informa-

>>>

December 2015

>>> LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

Spectroscopy

tion about our beer without this collaboration,” said Josh Larocque, Broadhead’s head brewer and co-owner.“We want to do everything we can to improve our product, and this sounded like a great idea from the get-go.”

Other industrial partners are also coming forward – for example, the centre has formed an alliance with the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance to promote its capabilities. As a result, the centre was recently contacted by a national retail chain that wanted to conduct quality control analyses on perfume products. One round of testing has been completed on a fee-for-service basis and more could follow.

In addition, Scintrex Trace Corp., which manufactures instruments used at airports to detect minute amounts of explosives and narcotics, has also signed on to work with the centre.

So far, the model of running the centre as an analytical resource for both researchers and industrial partners looks like a success, Smith said.

“The beauty of this approach is that we can direct our efforts toward helping industry partners improve their processes, which helps Canadian companies and the economy, and at the same time it generates revenue which we will put toward the acquisition of new infrastructure that will help Carleton become a research leader,” he said.“It’s a big circle and the sky is the limit in terms of who we can work with and what we can accomplish.”

Visit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

>>>

page 9

Sample Prep

SAMPLE PREP for drugs of abuse testing

BY PAULA CLARKE, FORENSIC SCIENCE IRELAND, GARDA HEADQUARTERS, DUBLIN, IRELAND; AND ALISON WAKE, GENEVAC LTD, IPSWICH UK

A

method for the extraction of drugs of abuse from urine samples pertaining to drug facilitated sexual assault cases has been developed in house by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI). The method

involves the use of solid phase extraction techniques prior to screening analysis by LCMSMS. As part of the solid phase extraction process, the extracted sample eluent is evaporated to dryness. FSI evaluated the use of a Genevac EZ-2 personal evaporator (Figure 1) as an alternative method of evaporation as part of their validation process. The EZ-2 was chosen due to the fact that it eliminated the need for gases such as nitrogen, required for the conventional blow down evaporation method, and also reduced sample handling and reformatting stages.

Sample preparation method Urine samples (1ml) are first hydrolyzed by incubation with 500µl ß-glucuronidase enzyme (prepared in 0.1M acetate buffer) for 1½ to 2hr at 60ºC, and 100µl of deuterated internal standard is added. Following

>>>

December 2015

>>> LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

Sample Prep

centrifugation at 13,000rpm for 2min, the supernatant is removed and 1ml borate buffer added to adjust the pH to ~9.

SPE extraction is carried out using a 3cc 60mg SPE cartridge as follows: • Condition: 3ml MeOH • Equilibrate: 3ml Water • Load: Load sample • Wash: 3ml 5%MeOH • Max pressure 50psi for 5mins to dry bed • Turn off Flow Rate

Figure 1 – Genevac EZ-2 Evaporator.

• Elute: 1ml MeOH • Elute: 1ml 3:1 MeOH:IPA • Max pressure to drive off remaining eluant The resultant 6ml of eluent must then be evaporated to dryness and reconstituted in 200µl diluent prior to analysis by LCMSMS. Choice of evaporation procedure Under the conventional method, evaporation was achieved using a niVisit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

>>>

page 10

trogen blow down system. Evaporation of the eluent by blow down in the SPE fraction collection tube results in the analytes being deposited up the sides of the tube. With a reconstitution volume of only 200µl, it is difficult to ensure that all the analytes have been resuspended. To ensure maximum recovery, evaporation needed to be carried out in the MS analysis vial; the 6ml of eluent being added in 2ml aliquots and evaporated to dryness in three stages.

The EZ-2 is a centrifugal evaporation system, which works by boiling solvent at low temperature under vacuum. During evaporation the samples are centrifuged at around 500G primarily to prevent bumping and subsequent cross contamination between the multiple samples which are being dried in parallel. Centrifugation also results in the dried analyte being deposited at the base of the tube. Reconstitution in very low volumes is therefore possible. Using the EZ-2, the full 6ml of eluent sample can be dried and subsequently reconstituted to 200µl diluent directly in the SPE fraction collection tube.

The EZ2 was evaluated in terms of its ability in achieving required limits of detection, sample integrity and the risk of cross contamination.

Limit of detection study The FSI urine screening method by LCMSMS covers a wide range of drugs of abuse. UNODC’s (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) Minimum Required Performance Limit (MRPL) was achieved for all

>>>

December 2015

>>> LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

Sample Prep

drugs/metabolites listed in the FSI screening panel using the EZ2. Studies performed by FSI showed that increased sensitivity was achieved by using the Genevac EZ2 evaporator compared to other conventional evaporation techniques. For example at the recommended UNODC MRPL, greater sensitivity was achieved when using the EZ2 for 7-aminoflunitrazepam, morphine, amphetamine and phenazepam among others, when compared other common methods of evaporation.

Sample integrity study A parallel study was performed using the conventional blow down method versus the EZ2 as a means of evaporation. The conventional process involved evaporation at a temperature of 45째C whereas the use of the EZ2

Visit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

>>>

page 11

allowed evaporation at a lower temperature of 40°C to be achieved with sample integrity being maintained. Additionally, the time taken to complete the evaporation process was halved by using the EZ2.

Cross contamination study The aim of the cross contamination study was to determine if any cross contamination occurred during the evaporation process in the Genevac EZ2 for common targeted drugs of abuse in urine samples related to drug facilitated sexual assaults.

The study involved using the EZ2 to evaporate to dryness a series of spiked urine samples, which had undergone solid phase extraction. Each spiked urine sample contained 43 various drugs of abuse/metabolites at a concentration of 500ng/ml in addition to 6 deuterated internal standards.* The extracted sample eluent from the spiked urine sample was held in a 6ml fraction collection tube and was placed in the sample holder surrounded by fraction collection tubes of blank eluent – known as the ‘blank sample’. All samples (spiked urine and blanks samples) were evaporated to dryness in the EZ-2, reconstituted in diluent and analyzed by LCMSMS. For the spiked urine samples all drugs/

>>>

December 2015

>>> LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

Sample Prep

metabolites were detected. All the ‘blank’ tubes surrounding the spiked urine samples were negative, indicating that cross contamination did not occur during the evaporation process using the EZ2.

Conclusions The experiments performed by FSI have all indicated that evaporation using the EZ2 results is a more streamlined process. Less time is required for completion of the evaporation process and sample integrity is maintained. Increased sensitivity was also achieved without the risk of cross contamination – ultimately a more superior process to conventional methods of evaporation. The method has been accepted into routine use. * Drugs/Metabolites and Deuterated Internal Standards contained in the spiked urine sample: chlordiazepoxide, flurazepam, zopiclone, MBDB, diamorphine, oxycodone, norbuprenorphine, temazepam, midazolam, oxazepam, clobazam, MDEA, hydromorphone, dihydrocodeine, methamphetamine, methadone, morphine, THC, THC-COOH, 7-aminoflunitrazepam, clonazepam, nitrazepam, cocaine, diazepam, alprazolam, lignocaine, MDMA, amitriptyline, codeine, nordiazepam, lorazepam, phenacetin, amphetamine, zolpidem, buprenorphine, bromazepam, 6-monoacetylmorphine, MDA, phenazepam, ketamine, triazolam, flunitrazepam, benzoylecgonine, cocaine-d3, codeine-d6, amphetamine-d11, THC-d3, diazepam-d5, methadone-d9.

Visit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

>>>

page 12

Life Sciences

Big bioreactor BREAKTHROUGH

The system encompasses an entire assembly, featuring a radial magnetic coupling, designed specifically according to client specifications.

N

o matter what the industry, taking the step from providing components to creating long-term partnerships is increasingly the name of the game.

When Trelleborg Sealing Solutions wanted to break into the highly inno-

vative life sciences industry, the company sought ways to position itself as a provider of engineered solutions.

>>>

December 2015

>>> LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

Life Sciences

“We were looking for demanding projects where we could show that by partnering with us, customers could get a wide range of products and tailor-made solutions from a single source, tapping into our global network,” said Peter Krass, key account manager at Trelleborg.

A lucky break came in 2009 when Sartorius Stedim Biotech, an Sartorius Stedim Biotech supplies integrated solutions for the biopharmaceutical industry, including fermentation, cell cultivation, filtration and purification.

international supplier to the biopharmaceuti-

cal industry, was scaling up its portfolio of disposable bags for single-use bioreactors to meet market demand.

The project required developing a 2,000-litre bag – a huge challenge that dramatically increased the component requirements. There was massive torque applied to the stirrer inside the bag, and the drive coupling had to withstand very high forces. There were also very strict cleanliness Visit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

>>>

page 13

demands. Sartorius already had some basic ideas and was more or less looking for sealing support when it became clear that their ideas would not suffice.

“At the time, we only supplied some standard parts and did not have a very strong partnership,” says Krass.“When we learned about their needs, we arranged a demonstration to show what we could offer.”

Dr. Gerhard Greller, R&D director upstream technology with Sartorius, recalls,“We found out that there was more competence within Trelleborg than we were aware of. They understood the requirements clearly and swiftly came up with a concept for a solution.”

It had all started with a seal, but the Trelleborg concept encompassed an entire assembly, featuring a radial magnetic coupling, designed specifically according to client specifications. Based on this concept, a project team was put together that pooled expertise from the two companies and spanned three countries.

A key requirement was that all team members had a common understanding. As a result, early in the process, Trelleborg included technical manager Tim Miller, who comes from the company’s site in Colorado that specializes in plastic bearings.“Tim was very competent, and listening to him we all went ‘Aha!’” says Greller.“Before that it had been very abstract.”

The magnetic coupling was developed by Trelleborg’s plant in Colorado, and engineering was undertaken at Trelleborg’s location in Stuttgart, Germany. The bag itself was produced at Sartorius’ site in Aubagne,

>>>

December 2015

>>> LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

Life Sciences

France. The coupling design was launched in May 2014 and the bags in January 2015.

The resulting product, Biostat STR 2000L, features a radial magnetic coupling using an assembly of special Durobal and a housing of Zurcon polyethylene welded to the bag. The Durobal bearings are suitable for rotating applications, preventing metal-to-metal contact and offering low friction. They are self-lubricating for cleaner operating environments. The Zurcon engineered plastic-based materials provide low friction, making them suitable for reciprocating, very slow rotating and oscillating applications that require high wear resistance.

Sartorius did not know beforehand that Trelleborg could handle this kind of project, says Greller, but he adds,“The company is a reliable, competent development partner. There is the technical competence, but also the worldwide business behind it, which means quality and security of supply.

They were also willing to invest in finding the best solution.”

The bioreactor bag project has opened the door to more collaboration, and new projects have already started within the bioreactor segment as well as with other Sartorius business units.

“It is all about life-cycle management,” says Greller.“We now discuss with Trelleborg how to improve this product for the next generation.”

Visit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

>>>

page 14

Instruments & Equipment

FLOWMETERS ENSURE measurement of regulated chemicals

H

ygiene and the elimination of pests and fungi is a major problem in the growth and storage of bulk crops in modern agriculture.

From the preparation of the buildings used for food production

through to the silos containing the mass storage of products, cleanliness is essential to ensure the quality of the produce. Even when produce

>>>

December 2015

>>> LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

Instruments & Equipment

is being put into storage the application of various chemicals extends the life of the products.

Agrochemical specialist Stored Crop Conservation Limited (SCCL) has produced a system of fogging these spaces with a very fine mist which ensures the whole volume is coated with the appropriate chemical. The company has developed its own equipment and methods which ensure a much more even treatment than conventional methods. These chemicals are often regulated substances and careful control of the application volume is critical.

For nearly 15 years the company has been using Titan flow meters for the recording of the amount of chemical used. On current generation SCCL machines, the volume of dispensed chemicals is recorded using Titan 900 series mini-turbines flow meters. These flow meters are coupled to a panel indicator recording total volume throughput on a re-settable display. In this way the machine operator can check the desired dosage for an area against the actual volume of chemical used ensuring safe dispersal of these controlled chemicals. To ensure consistent reliable measurements, SCCL’s in-house calibration rigs utilize Titan’s oval gear flow meters.

Titan Enterprises www.flowmeters.co.uk/pd_900_1000series.htm

Visit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

>>>

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

page 15

Instrument purifies lab gases to sub-ppb levels

A fail-safe source of high-purity analytical instrumentation gas, the Nova gas purifier is designed for use with carrier gases, calibration gases or nebulization gas. It purifies most gases found in the laboratory to sub-ppb levels – including helium, hydrogen, argon, nitrogen, and oxygen. The result is increased instrument sensitivity and minimized baseline noise. Accommodates flows between 0.1150 slpm.

ARM, Inc. www.arminc.com

Camera upgrades microscopes for quick imaging

Five-megapixel CMOS USB 3.0 camera lets any laboratory microscope be upgraded for faster imaging and video recording. The Mighty Cam 3.0 captures up to 45 frames per second. Advanced speed makes it suitable for applications that benefit from reduced image lag times, such as biomedical research, scientific documentation and analysis, health care and medical education or lab photography.

Aven, Inc. www.aventools.com December 2015

>>> LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

Specialist polymer films fill many needs

A wide selection of polymer films is available and includes specialist products suitable for demanding applications. Among these special polymer films are polyphenylenesulphide (PPS) in thicknesses from 0.1mm to 0.4mm, polyetherimide (PEI) in thicknesses from 0.025mm to 0.50mm and polyetherketone (PEK) in thicknesses from 0.040mm to 0.100mm.

Goodfellow www.goodfellow.com/

Thermal imager is portable, ergonomic

Portable, high-performance thermal imager has an ergonomic design. The model OSXL-TG165 imager features tripod mount/lanyard connection, dual pointer lasers that frame specific areas of interest, a convenient pull trigger that activates lasers and freezes images, and a mini USB port for downloading images and charging internal battery.

Simple to operate with intuitive buttons and menu icons.

Omega www.omega.ca/pptst_eng/OSXL-TG165.html Visit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

>>>

page 16

Enhanced protection for critical areas

The Kimtech Pure A7 cleanroom lab coat provides enhanced chemical and biological protection and contamination control for cleanroom environments.

Available in bulk packaging, the lab coats are easy to don and doff. Features including advanced barrier fabric, low lint, elastic wrist and thumb loops, extra-long sleeves and high mandarin collar all reduce the risk of contamination.

Kimberly-Clark Professional www.kcprofessional.com/ brands/kimtech

Evaporator improves environmental laboratory productivity

The Rocket Synergy Evaporator provides fast, unattended operation that improves environmental laboratory productivity.

Developed as a result of users’ demands for an evaporator that could quickly process large-volume environmental samples in parallel without supervision, it can concentrate or dry 18 ASE tubes or up to 6 large-volume 450 ml flasks.

Genevac www.genevac.com/ environmental December 2015

>>> LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

UV/VIS spectrophotometer is speedy, reliable

The UV/VIS Excellence spectrophotometer optimizes spectroscopic workflows, offering speedy and reliable measurements within a compact, notebook-size footprint. A full spectrum scan is performed within one second, while a robust design ensures measurement stability. No warm up time is needed for the Xenon flash lamp to reach stability, so the instrument is always ready to use.

Mettler Toledo www.mt.com/

Guide helps in assay plate selection

Correct assay plate selection is vital for successful research, whether absorbance, fluorescence or luminescence assays are being performed. A new guide provides information and guidance on how to choose the correct assay plate for research. By following the guide’s simple instructions, those tasked with assay development can ensure that their final assay has the best possible chance of success.

Porvair Sciences www.porvair-sciences.com/uploads/ documents/porvair-assay-plates.pdf Visit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

>>>

page 17

Bench-top SEM is compact, versatile

The bench-top JSM-6000PLUS NeoScope scanning electron microscope (SEM) brings the basic high-resolution imaging and analysis features of a full-sized SEM into the lab. It fits small spaces and economical budgets, while simple operation and versatile functions complement the workflow with optical microscopes or larger SEMs. Suitable for rapid inspection of electronics, pharmaceuticals, forensic evidence, and many materials and organic samples.

JEOL www.jeolusa.com

Peristaltic fillers simplify small batch production Flexicon PF6 and PF22 bench-top peristaltic fillers are designed for small batch filling in clinical trials, contract filling and diagnostics applications.

Batch set-up is achieved in one minute with fill volumes from 0.2ml to 5 litres.

Offering a contamination-free single-use flow path, peristaltic technology simplifies cleaning validation and enhances the integrity of high purity fill/finish applications.

Flexicon www.flexicon.dk/profile/ December 2015

>>> LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

System enhances microbial strain screening The ambr 15 automated micro bioreactor system improves microbial strain screening with 24 single-use stirred micro bioreactors (each with an 8-12mL working volume) integrated to a user-friendly, automated workstation. The system offers parallel processing and walk-away control of the 24 micro bioreactors, providing fermentation scientists with efficient, consistent results from an enhanced early stage screening platform.

Sartorius Stedim Biotech www.sartorius.com/en/ lab-products-services/

Exosome kits are simple, rapid and scalable

Novel kits for the fast and simple isolation of exosomes from plasma/serum, urine, and cell culture media are based on the use of Canadian biotech company Norgen’s proprietary resin to purify and concentrate the exosomes. These kits are simple, rapid and scalable. Also available are kits for the isolation of high-quality RNA from exosomes.

Norgen Biotek Corp. www.norgenbiotek.com

Visit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

>>>

page 18

COD analyzer design lowers operating costs

Wastewater treatment plants can benefit from a new chemical oxygen demand (COD) analyzer that helps monitor water quality and prevent environmental contamination. The Thermo Scientific Orion 3106 COD analyzer combines a digestion step with colorimetric analysis to measure the concentration of organic compounds, and is designed to reduce ongoing operating costs due to its low maintenance and reagent consumption.

Thermo Fisher Scientific www.thermoscientific.com/en/ product/orion-3106-cod-analyzer.html

Combustion unit for elemental analysis sample prep

Designed for preparation of samples for single and mixed elemental analysis of chlorine, bromine, iodine, sulphur and phosphorus content, the Oxygen Flask Combustion Unit is based on the internationally recognized SchĂśniger flask method. The unit provides a safe and repeatable tool for combusting samples prior to elemental analysis by ion chromatography or titration.

Exeter Analytical www.exeteranalytical.co.uk/ ofcu.htm

December 2015

>>> LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

WHAT’S NEW IN LAB PRODUCTS

page 19

Highly automated micro-CT scans quickly

The Skyscan 1275 self-optimizing desktop X-ray microtomograph is designed for materials and life scientists in both research and industrial applications, such as highthroughput 3D imaging in quality control and production process monitoring. The system takes advantage of new X-ray source technology and efficient flat-panel detectors to reduce scan time to just a few minutes, without compromising image quality.

Bruker Corporation www.bruker.com

PUBLISHER/EDITOR

LAB PRODUCT NEWS is published by Annex-Newcom L.P. CHANGE OF ADDRESS/EMAIL: Please call (416) 442-5600, ext 3548 or email mmarasigan@annexnewcom.ca for changes and updates to your subscription.

Leslie Burt (416) 510-6835 lburt@labcanada.com

Lab Product News assumes no responsibility for validity of claims in items reported.

ART DIRECTOR

From time to time we make our subscription list available to select companies and organizations whose products or services may interest you. If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact us via one of the following methods: Phone: 1-800-668-2374; Fax: 416-442-2191; E-Mail: privacyofficer@businessinformationgroup.ca; Mail to: Privacy Officer, Annex-Newcom L.P., 80 Valleybrook Drive, Toronto, ON M3B 2S9

Ron Taylor CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Diane Rakoff (416) 510-5216 drakoff@annexnewcom.ca

Produced in Canada.

Digital edition:

PRESIDENT

ISSN 1923-3043

Alex Papanou 80 Valleybrook Drive, Toronto, ON M3B 2S9 Fax (416) 510-5140 Telephone direct (416) 510-6835

Member of the Member/Canadian Canadian Business Business Press Press

Visit us on line www.labcanada.com INDEX

INDUSTRY NEWS

SPECTROSCOPY

SAMPLE PREP

LIFE SCIENCES

INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT

LAB PRODUCTS

>>>