Lab Product News June 2009

JUNE 2009, VOL. 39, NO. 4

www.labcanada.com SERVING INDUSTRIAL, MEDICAL, UNIVERSITY, GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE & BIOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORIES

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Software enables high-speed imaging at 40 frames/sec

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) microscope now has high-speed imaging capability.

Images can be taken at up to 40 frames per second, capturing dynamic processes such as the heartbeat of a fruit-fly. The software is four times faster than its predecessor, and was originally developed for the manufacturer's hand-held OCT scanner. Actual frame rates depend on the image width: from 7.5 fps (image width 1,250 pixels), to 40 fps (image width 125 pixels).

Michelson Diagnostics

Vacuum collects mercury spills

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Mercury vacuum safely collects and contains mercury spills. Activated carbon adsorbent filters prevent mercury from escaping via the exhaust, and downstream HEPA filter prevents particulate from damaging the carbon filter. Nilfisk CFM

Chip mixes microfluids quickly

Turbidity meter is compact

Tubing is very flexible, inert

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Industry News 2 Ergonomics 5 General Products 8 Lab Design 10

Biotechnology/Life Sciences 13 Internet Directory 14 Ad Index 14 Technical Literature 15 Events 15

Glass chip rapidly mixes two or three microfluid streams and enables extremely rapid mixing at many flow rates. Suitable for reaction kinetics studies, sample dilution, improving reaction selectivity, rapid crystallization and nanoparticle synthesis. Dolomite

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All-in-one turbidity meter has automatic range selection, signal averaging, data logging up to 99 readings, and RS-232 interface.

Carrying case is shock resistant with NEMA 4 rating. Programming menu is self-guided. CE compliant. Omega

PTFE convoluted tubing comes in a variety of styles to suit many applications. Tubing has very low coefficient of friction, is chemically inert, self-extinguishing and has a flex life of well over one million cycles.

Parker Texloc

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2 LABORATORY PRODUCT NEWS ■ June 2009

Industry News World chemical industry and regulations under scrutiny at European forum Sustainability and innovation in the world's chemical industry was the focus of a forum held in Helsinki, Finland in late May by the European Chemicals Agency. The forum brought together influential players in academic research, politics, non-governmental bodies, human interest groups and industry to discuss the future of the chemical sector.

Sustainability and safety was top of the agenda, with panels of experts agreeing that the worldwide chemical industry will depend increasingly on innovation to prosper amidst global competition. In addition, of particular interest was a new set of regulations called REACH, an information-sharing initiative regarding the production, importation and use of chemicals, which the European Union brought into law in mid-2007. Under these new regulations, all chemical producers, importers and manufacturing end-users are obliged to register chemicals being used in volumes greater than 1 tonne per year.

REACH, which stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals, makes industry bear the responsibility for managing the risks posed by chemicals, and provide the appropriate safety information to their users. The information is provided through a registration process, which began last year, and restrictions began to apply on June 1 this year.

Ultimately, REACH will create an authorization system to ensure that substances of "very high concern" are adequately controlled or replaced by less hazardous substances.

Some chemicals are exempt from the legislation, such as polymers and radioactive materials. In addition, chemicals used for research and development are largely exempt, as they are usually produced or imported in quantities less than 1 tonne per year.

At the forum, European Union representative Klaus Berend said that "REACH definitely affects global trade policy because the EU is one of the largest importers of chemicals and end products." Even if similar chemical legislation is not applied on other continents, market forces will force countries outside the EU to take into account the requirements set by REACH. The registration process is well underway, with 65,000 companies pre-registering some 143,000 chemicals by the pre-registration deadline last December.

Finland is a world player in the chemical industry – the country is the home of one of Europe's largest chemical industries, and Helsinki is the seat of the European Chemicals Agency. In his closing address to the forum, Finland's prime minister, Matti Vanhanen, recognized the importance of the industry to the country and the impact regulations like REACH will have beyond the EU's borders. "I'm not exaggerating if I say that Europe is leading the world and making a global benchmark in chemicals legislation," he said. "The rest of the world has no other choice than to follow."

More information about REACH is available on the European Chemicals Agency website at http://guidance.echa.europa.eu.

Energy and auto research centres receive $73M in funding Construction will soon be underway for two new research centres at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) outside Toronto. The provincial and federal governments are providing a total of $73 million in funding for the two projects.

One is the Energy Systems and Nuclear Science Research Centre, which will occupy a new 9,290-sq-m building that will house courses and research on leadingedge technologies in clean and green energies.

The other is the Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE-Global), which will be a 13,585 sq-m facility that will house space for teaching and learning, a collaborative research laboratory and industrysponsored research. Phase 1 of the project is already under construction, and the new funding announcement is for Phase 2.

“We are thrilled that both the Harper and McGuinty governments are committed to partnering on a vision that will see ACE-Global become a global leader in designing the clean and green vehicles of the future,” said Dr Ronald Bordessa, UOIT's president. “This is education and research taking a leadership role in the auto recovery, and in the future of transportation in all its modes.”

ACE-Global will be a hub for the entire automotive and aviation sector, luring industry partners from around the world to access the leading-edge facility.

Construction of Phase 1 began in 2007, and Phase 2 will expand the centre’s climatic wind tunnel and create the capacity for a rolling road, both of which are key design and testing structures. The wind tunnel is large enough to accommodate cars, buses, trucks, trains and airplane wings.

Construction on both new projects begins in August.

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Courtesy UOIT Artist’s rendering of the Energy Systems and Nuclear Science Research Centre.

Global health research agencies form alliance to curb chronic diseases

The Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) has joined five other leading world health agencies in forming a landmark alliance called the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases. The goal is to collaborate in the battle against chronic, non-communicable diseases: cardiovascular diseases (mainly heart disease and stroke), several cancers, chronic respiratory conditions, and type 2 diabetes.

Other charter members include Australia’s National Health Medical Research Council; China’s Ministry of Health in association with the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; the UK Medical Research Council; and the US National Institutes of Health, specifically its National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and the Fogarty International Center in forming the alliance. Together these agencies collectively manage an estimated 80% of all public health research funding.

“Canada is proud to collaborate with other countries in the fight against these chronic diseases," said Alain Beaudet, president of the CIHR. "I believe that Canada can excel on the world stage by bringing our unique research talents to bear on these global health research problems that affect millions of people worldwide.”

Pediatric and maternal health get new research institute A new research organization, the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute for Child and Maternal Health, was officially launched at the Alberta Children's Hospital and the University of Calgary (U of C) in June.

The institute was made possible by a $22.5 million gift from the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.

At the same time, Husky Energy announced a gift of $1.5 million to establish the Husky Energy Chair in Child and Maternal Health. The chair will support the work of the director of the new institute, Dr Brent Scott, former vice dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the U of C and former head of pediatrics for Alberta Health Services.

The multi-facility institute has researchers located across two principal sites - the University of Calgary Health Sciences Centre and the Alberta Children's Hospital.

For the present, the new institute does not occupy its own dedicated facility, although plans are in the works for that at some point in the future.

Dr Scott says the institute will encour-

Standing l-r: Depei Liu (China), Warwick Anderson (Australia), Abdallah Daar (University of Toronto), Stig Pramming (Oxford Health Alliance), and Leszek Borysiewicz (UK), seated l-r: Elizabeth Nabel (USA) and Alain Beaudet (Canada).

www.labcanada.com PUBLISHER/EDITOR Leslie Burt ART DIRECTOR Pete Pepperman CIRCULATION MANAGER Diane Rakoff PRODUCTION MANAGER Karen Samuels READER SERVICE Elizabeth Callaghan ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Anita Havas-Stainton VICE-PRESIDENT, CANADIAN PUBLISHING

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L-r: John CS Lau, president & CEO Husky Energy, Dr Brent Scott, director Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute for Child and Maternal Health, Randy Findlay, board chair, Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation.

age interaction between biomedical, clinical, population health and health service delivery oriented investigators in six thematic areas: behaviour and the developing brain, molecular and genetic basis of child development, health living and injury prevention, optimizing child health outcomes, pediatric oncology, and reproductive and maternal, fetal and newborn health.

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4 LABORATORY PRODUCT NEWS ■ June 2009

Industry News $5.4M greenhouse facility for PEI research centre

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unding of $5.4 million was recently presented to the Crops and Livestock Research Centre in Charlottetown by federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz and minister of fisheries and oceans Gail Shea.

The funding will be used to replace an out-of-date greenhouse at the Charlottetown site with a new greenhouse facility at the Harrington field research station. The facility will include a 600m2 greenhouse, a headerhouse (a large, open work area next to the greenhouse) and a 20m2 growth room. The greenhouse facility will be used for advanced breeding work, research and development of new crops with improved health benefits for the nutraceutical and functional food markets, trial work on pest management techniques and, in association with the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, evaluation of minor use pesticides and strategies for reducing pesticide use and reducing pesticide risk.

The expansion comes during a milestone year for the research centre: 2009 marks the 100th anniversary of the Crops and Livestock Research Centre.

Minister Gerry Ritz announced $5.4 million in funding for new greenhouse facility.

Quebec research body appoints new VP and scientific director Dr Howard Bergman has been appointed vicepresident and scientific director of the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec.

Dr Bergman earned his medical degrees from McGill University. He is a full professor in the departments of medicine, family medi-

Solar panel testing lab opens

Robert Griffin, president & CEO, CSA Group (left) looks on as Mike Pinder, senior lab technologist, CSA International, demonstrates a cut-resistance test at the opening of the new lab in Vancouver. (CNW Group/CSA International)

Testing and certification organization, CSA International, recently opened a stateof-art laboratory in Vancouver for the testing and certification of solar panels and equipment used as an alternative energy source.

"This new facility will increase testing capacity for the rapidly growing photovoltaic market which recorded 110% growth in 2008," says Randall W Luecke, president, CSA International.

Testing and certification of photovoltaic modules at the lab are conducted in accordance with North American and international standards. The lab features conditioning chambers that perform TC200 / HF10 temperature cycling tests to simulate extreme weather fluctuations. To ensure the modules meet shock and fire standards, the lab can test panels for reverse current overload, current leakage, water resistance, and impact and scratch resistance.

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cine and oncology and the first holder of the Joseph Kaufmann Chair in Geriatric Medicine at McGill University. He also heads the division of geriatric medicine in the department of medicine at McGill University and the Jewish General Hospital.

Dr Bergman is a researcher at the Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies and for the Bloomfield Centre for Research in Aging at the Jewish General Hospital’s Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research.

New president for innovation centre in Toronto Dr Raphael (Rafi) Hofstein has been appointed president and CEO of MaRS Innovation in Toronto, a commercialization storefront for the city's 14 leading academic institutions.

He was most recently the president and CEO of Israelbased Hadasit, the technology transfer company of the Ha- Dr Raphael Hofstein. dassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem. He has also served as chair of Hadasit BioHolding. In these roles, he was responsible for the commercialization of intellectual property emerging from the Hadassah Medical Organization, clinical trials with industry partners, as well as the launch, development and strategic oversight of medical devices, biomedicine and diagnostic equipment spin-off companies.

“I am delighted to take on this new challenge,” says Dr Hofstein. “MaRS Innovation is a unique global initiative, and I must commend the institutional leaders in Toronto for pulling this innovation powerhouse together to strengthen commercialization output. In my experience, good science is the single most important ingredient for success in this business.”

New lab focuses on indoor air research

At the opening: l-r, Gary Goodyear, minister of state (science and technology) and Dr Pierre Coulombe, NRC president. National Research Council Canada

Indoor air testing facility. National Research Council Canada

A new Indoor Air Research Laboratory, which includes a state-ofart testing facility for ventilation systems, has been opened by the National Research Council (NRC)'s Institute for Research in Construction in Ottawa.

The lab's researchers will measure and evaluate the impact of various ventilation systems by configuring the lab's flexible modules to duplicate specific room sizes and home designs, as well as simulate models of heating and air-conditioning systems and heatrecovery ventilators.

The NRC says its indoor air initiative is being funded with $8 million over four years by the federal government, and of that, $2 million is dedicated to this research facility.

"This investment in the new NRC Indoor Air Research Laboratory will help the Canadian construction industry and consumers choose innovative, energy-efficient and affordable products that will improve air quality at home and at work," said Dr Pierre Coulombe, NRC president, at the official opening.

In Brief The Atlantic Cancer Research Institute (ACRI) is receiving $5 million in funding over five years from New Brunswick's provincial government. The funding will enable ACRI to accelerate cancer research in the region and strengthen the organizations' ability to compete for national funding.

A grand opening was held recently to celebrate the completion of a $100 million research facility project at Laval University. The project involves seven new research facilities, with funding provided by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, the Quebec government and private partners.

Folio Instruments says it is now representing Antek and AC Controls.

Antek makes nitrogen/sulphur detectors, analyzers and lab process/online instruments, while AC Controls specializes in turn-key GC systems.

A new $11-million national influenza research network will focus on pandemic vaccine evaluation. A partnership between the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Public Health Agency of Canada, it will be led by Dr Scott

Halperin, director of the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology in Halifax, and will link over 80 scientists across the country.

Ontario's provincial government is awarding $94M in funding to 31 research projects around the province, including just over $18 million for four projects at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.

Sanyo Biomedical recently celebrated the 30,000th shipment of its -86ºC ultralow temperature freezers worldwide.

It says the series was introduced to the North American market in 1997.

22/06/09 1:28 PM

June 2009 ■ LABORATORY PRODUCT NEWS 5

T

Ergonomics Ergonomic seating a cost-effective solution for college labs

he Evergreen State College is a public, four-year liberal arts and sciences college located in the US Pacific Northwest. Recently it became necessary to remodel their existing chemistry and microscopy laboratory facilities. As part of this project it was determined that outdated laboratory chairs would also need to be replaced.

As with many educational facilities, tightening budgets demanded a cost-effective approach to purchasing. The primary requirements for new seating were affordability, comfort, resistance to chemicals, ease of adjustments and durability. In addition, a more sculpted modern appearance was considered a definite plus.

College laboratories differ from an industrial or commercial setting since chairs are used by students for shorter periods of time. Compared to full eight-hour shifts normally associated with a work environment, school lab applications may consist of only an hour or two per session. Microscopy labs are used for longer periods, therefore comfort becomes more of a factor for these labs. Easy adjustment of chairs designated for school laboratory use is extremely important since they may be adjusted and readjusted several times each day.

Resistance to chemicals and softer, more comfortable seating composition are a must. Optional adjustable footrings are also important in a laboratory environment.

The heights of laboratory tables vary and differing physical stature of the students make this a popular option.

The students and faculty at the college conducted evaluations of seating features and options through actual testing of sample chairs supplied by several manufacturers. They voiced their opinions and preferences, which carried considerable weight during the specification process that eventually resulted in a purchasing decision.

After careful evaluation of products from several companies, polyurethane chairs from Bevco Precision Manufacturing Company of Waukesha, WI were selected as the best choice to meet the school’s purchasing specification requirements. The Evergreen State College has gone through two previous remodels using the company’s seating. For the current remodel, 110 units were purchased for their laboratories. Black was selected over other colors to match lab table counter tops.

“The chairs we received from Bevco are first rate [and] affordable,” says Martin Beagle, Evergreen’s science operations manager.

The polyurethane chairs are designed for maximum comfort and long-lasting use in harsh environments. They are highly durable and offer total body support with advanced ergonomic features that improve student productivity and reduce fatigue.

The self-skinned polyurethane seats and backs resist stains and damage from punctures and chemicals. Moulded-in ventila-

tion ribs increase air circulation for comfort and facilitate easy clean-up.

“Every 10 weeks our laboratories including seating are thoroughly cleaned. Resistance to chemicals and ease of clean-up are extremely important,” says Mr Beagle.

These chairs are equipped with easyto-use pneumatic height adjustment, ergonomic waterfall seat design, fully adjustable contoured back, 360° swivel and a sturdy five legged molded or tubular base.

“Students are using all of the options on these chairs. Easily adjustable height and back positions and footrings are popular,” he adds.

He also says Bevco’s response time was faster than expected. “We completed our remodel ahead of time with minimal disruption to the students and faculty,” he says.

By Tom Brecklin, Bevco Photo credits: Tom Brecklin

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6 LABORATORY PRODUCT NEWS ■ June 2009

Ergonomics

How to avoid workplace injuries with pipette use “Ergonomic disorders are the fastest growing category of work-related illness… There is no question that workplace injuries are a major factor in bottom line profitability across the world….”1

A

ny work environment, including the laboratory, can be a source of ergonomic stress. Two factors in pipetting which can cause the user physical stress are the design of the pipette and the manner in which it is used. An ergonomically designed pipette should pose few if any difficulties or risks to the user who, trained in body mechanics, knows which positions and postures to avoid. Awkward postures and repetitions are not bad in themselves, but can pose a problem if stresses are cumulative and tasks are not balanced.

Selecting pipettes and the manner in which they are used is a relatively simple project which requires little more than applying some useful information. The investment of some research and training is far outweighed by the return: improved safety and health in the workplace, improved productivity, reduced absenteeism and turnover, and reduced probability of accidents and errors.3

Potential problems

Manual action pipettes, one of the most commonly used laboratory instruments, can cause muscle strain or tendon swelling, particularly if good body mechanics are not applied while pipetting. Manual pipetting involves several ergonomic stresses of the wrist, arm, and shoulders. The stresses are typically caused by repetition, awkward posture, and the excessive use of thumb force4 when dispensing a sample.

“In addition, pipetting is done in a position where the thumb is not stable but nevertheless has to work to stabilize the grip around the pipette and to press down the button [plunger] of the pipette. Therefore the muscles have to work as both mobilizing and stabilizing structures” and are sub-

V LPN JUNE 2009.indd 6

jected to increased stress.5 These physical stresses are further aggravated by the mental pressure resulting from the accuracy, precision, and timing demanded in many pipetting procedures.2 Taken together, these factors put laboratory technicians at a great risk of developing a CTD, or a cumulative trauma disorder: one of a group of health disorders affecting the muscles, tendons, joints, and nerves, which can cause pain and swelling.3 An informed technician does not have to be a CTD statistic. With CTDs, protection and prevention are the best medicines.

The solutions

The design of a pipette is as important as the manner in which it is used. Pipette manufacturers recognize the benefits of an ergonomically designed pipette, and this is revealed in the designs of pipettes on the market. For example, pipettes with a curved hilt allow a relaxed hold, reducing muscle strain.

Separate buttons for tip ejection, depending upon the tension in the spring within the pipette, usually allow the operator to use a shorter, less forceful motion for tip ejection than do pipettes with a single “combination” button for both sample dispensing and tip ejection. This can reduce the stress on an operator’s thumb.

A separate ejector, however, requires an additional movement to a button which may not be ergonomically placed. On electronic pipettes, the tip ejector is located on the far side of the pipette, allowing the user to simply exert a light squeeze with the index finger in order to eject the pipette tip.

Manual action pipettes, however, require the user to relocate the thumb to another button, further stressing the muscles.

Several other features may make pi-

petting less stressful. Non-slip, contoured surfaces minimize fatigue by increasing friction, allowing the use of a relaxed grip.

Plunger buttons are sometimes sloped to better fit the user’s hand. Keep these features and the list of guidelines above in mind when purchasing and using your pipettes.

Avoiding CTDs is a simple and relatively inexpensive task, the importance of which cannot be overestimated. A healthy technician will have better attendance, a better attitude, and better accuracy and precision than one who is coping with the effects of CTDs. Pipetting results are only as reliable as the mechanism (operator + environment + pipette) with which they are obtained. A laboratory’s technicians, as well as its pipettes, should be in sound condition, and should be in a comfortable, controlled environment.

Steps that you can take to reduce the risk of developing a cumulative trauma disorder include: • Rotate pipetting tasks among several people.1 • Use only the force necessary to operate the pipette; do not use excessive force.1 • Choose pipettes requiring the least pressure.1 • Use shorter pipettes, which allow for decreased arm elevation and thus eliminate the use of awkward postures.1 • Consider using electronic pipettes, which are programmable and reduce the need for excessive thumb force and repetition.2 Electronic pipettes, however, are sometimes designed with right-handed persons in mind and may be difficult for a left-handed technician to use.6 • Use low-profile waste receptacles for used tips. Receptacles should be no higher than the tops of the tubes being filled.1 • Take short pauses of several seconds when you are unable to take a longer break.1 • Use adjustable chairs or stools with built-in solid foot rests. Work with arms close to the body to reduce strain on shoulders. Multipipettes, which are considerably stiffer than automatic or manual action pipettes, should be used on a limited basis.1

drome include pain, numbness, or tingling in the first three fingers and the base of the thumb.3 DeQuervain’s disease affects the tendons on the side of the wrist and at the base of the thumb. Symptoms include pain and difficulty in movement.3 Other CTDs include epicondylitis, commonly referred to as “tennis elbow,” which is an inflammation of the tendons within the elbow. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and weakness. Tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendon in the wrist and hand which can cause swelling and pain. “Trigger finger” results when a tendon sheath in the finger swells and becomes locked. The condition is referred to as “trigger finger” because attempts to move the finger result in a snapping and jerking movement.3 How do I determine my risk of developing a CTD? “Yes” answers to any of the following indicate that CTD risk factors are present at your job6: • Are there frequent, repetitive motions?

• Does your working position require bending of the neck, shoulder, wrist, or finger joints?

• Are there forceful or quick, sudden motions?

• Do you work across the midline of your body or out to the side?

What else can I do to relieve some of the discomfort caused by CTDs? Analgesics, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, are often helpful.7 However, as with any health concern, consider seeing your physician, who can accurately assess your condition and recommend an appropriate course of action, which might include physical therapy to help heal strained muscles, and painkillers such as analgesics.

Are there any additional safety considerations, not necessarily mechanical or ergonomic in nature, which I should keep in mind when working with pipettes?

Pipetting should never be done by mouth, even if extension tubes are used, in the event that liquids or vapours are drawn into the body through the mouth or nose.8 Broken glass pipettes can also pose a danger to users. Unusable broken glassware or pipettes should be collected in a labelled cardboard box that can be sealed for disposal when full.9

References: 1 Darcor.

Ergonomics. The Cost of CTDs, www.darcor.com.

Putz Anderson. Fisher Scientific, Lab Ergonomics, 1996.

3 Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, PUB 3000, Chapter 17, Ergonomics.

4 Fitzgerald, NIH, NIEHS Safety Notes, April 1996 5 Kerstin Fredriksson. “Laboratory Work with Automatic Pipettes: A Study on How Pipetting Affects the Thumb”, Ergonomics 1995, vol 38, no 5, Pharmacia.

6 Clark Rundell, Ph.D. Maine Medical Center Research Institute, interview.

7 University of Utah Research Foundation, Ergoweb, 1994-1996.

8 Time-Life, Medical Reference Handbook, 1996.

9 University of Illinois, Lab Safety Exam, 1997. (www.eecs.vic.edu) 2 Dr.

• Choose a pipette that fits your hand.

Your hand should cover more than half, but not the entire, circumference of the pipette.1

Questions and Answers:

What are some of the more common cumulative trauma disorders, and what are their symptoms?

Among the more common forms of CTD are DeQuervain’s disease and carpal tunnel syndrome, in which the median nerve running through the wrist becomes compressed. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syn-

For more information, circle reply card # 11

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June 2009 ■ LABORATORY PRODUCT NEWS 7

Ergonomics vertical air flow design minimizes direct airflow which may lead to dry eyes and fatigue on horizontal flow models. Esco Reply card # 19

Electric crimper/decapper reduces hand fatigue Lightweight, semi-automatic product is suitable for labs that crimp or decap large volumes of aluminum seals. Ergonomic design also helps to reduce hand fatigue caused by the use of manual crimpers and decappers. The ability to change quickly between different sizes or between crimping and decapping offers flexibility and economy for applications where various sizes of aluminum seals are required. Features adjustable jaw intensity allowing the user to regulate jaw action as required to achieve the perfect crimp. Memory feature also retains the last crimp setting when changing from decapping back to crimping. Wheaton Science Products

Vibration isolation workstation has variable-height capability Variable-height vibration isolation workstation allows the user to raise or lower the tabletop smoothly and quietly. The ergonomic unit features automatic levelling, delivers excellent vertical and horizontal isolation efficiencies, and has low natural frequencies. It is suitable for using confocal, tunneling, or optical microscopes; semiconductor inspections, wafer probing; roundness checking; and other repetitive processes in which external vibrations adversely affect the operation of precision equipment. Kinetic Systems Reply card # 18

Angled front on bench improves visibility and reach Vertical laminar flow clean benches feature a comfortable design, a microprocessor control system with digital airflow velocity display, and energy-efficient green features. The angled front improves visibility, improves reach, and reduces operator strain by improving work posture. The sliding sash closes fully to enable decontamination of the work zone with a optional UV lamp. Glass sides create a bright, airy work space and eliminate the feeling of being “boxed-in”. The powder-coated work zone rear wall eliminates harsh reflections, and

Positive displacement pipette offers ergonomic features With a positive displacement design, pipette ensures proper handling and dispensing of fluids that are otherwise difficult to aspirate and dispense correctly, such as nonaqueous solutions that are viscous, dense, or high in vapour pressure. This pipette ensures that the necessary pressure equalization to handle such solutions exists within the pipette tip. Equipped with a large handle, the pipette fits comfortably in the hand. A finger-hook eliminates the need to grip the pipette firmly, allowing it to rest comfortably in the hand. Finally, the volume control setting faces the user, helping users avoid awkward twisting. Rainin Reply card # 21

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World Forum for Medicine

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Ergonomic comfort designed into biological safety cabinets Biological safety cabinets provide maximum knee clearance which improves the user’s ability to assume a proper posture. A frameless polished edge window allows for greater visibility and better sight lines to the work zone area, lessening the chance of sitting in an awkward posture resulting in neck and shoulder strain. The cool white lighting in the cabinets decreases glare, helping to eliminate eye fatigue. Other ergonomic options include adjustable base stands, adjustable chairs for proper leg positioning and back support, adjustable footrest, along with elbow rests for proper support of elbows and forearms. Nuaire Reply card # 17

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28.05.2009 · MEDICA 2009 · 273 x 395 mm · 4c · Laboratory Product News

Wrist supports address carpal tunnel syndrome problems Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) problems are addressed with six different wrist supports, each one designed to help maintain a neutral position at the wrist while allowing full movement of the hand and fingers. One model contains eight stays that provide firm support, and offers an ambidextrous design that fits both right and left hands. Another model is designed with a restrictive metal spoon stay that fits into the palm to eliminate symptoms of CTS and other repetitive strain injuries. A further model offers the all-around comfort and support of Neoprene and can be worn on the right or left hand. Allegro

8 LABORATORY PRODUCT NEWS ■ June 2009

General Products to drying and calculates the moisture (or solid) content of the product. Tests can be conducted by personnel of any skill level.

Most measurements can be made without sample preparation. Kett Reply card # 26

max, hold, and display average modes with a user-activated back light. This CE-compliant product shuts off automatically after 20 minutes of keypad inactivity. The instrument delivers precision pressure measurement for field, plant, and lab use. Omega Reply card # 29

Circulation heater provides contamination-free heating Small, lightweight circulation heater is suitable for demanding gas and liquid applications, is intrinsically safe and will not burn the fluids being heated. It is designed for applications where fluid cleanliness is critical because the gas or liquid being heated never comes in contact with the heater. The circulation heater is constructed of a helical coiled tube cast into an aluminum body with a replaceable cartridge heater installed in the centre. The heater’s construction allows it to be used where thermally sensitive materials are being heated, such as paints, resins and flammable materials. Watlow Reply card # 22

Product lowers detection limits for analysis of food samples Molecularly imprinted polymer SPE product is designed for the selective extraction, confirmation and quantitation of nitroimidazole residues in food samples.

Nitroimidazoles comprise a group of broad-spectrum antibacterial agents with antibiotic and anticoccidial properties, which are widely used for therapeutic treatment in poultry, cattle, and farmed fish. The SPE phase has been developed for multi-residue extraction of nitroimidazoles and has been validated for dimetridazole (DMZ), ipronidazole (IPZ), metronidazole (MNZ), and ronidazole (RNZ) and their hydroxylated metabolites (DMZOH and MNZOH). With this product, nitroimidazoles were extracted from milk and egg samples with high and reproducible recoveries.

MIP Technologies and Supelco Reply card # 23

Ultrasonic flowmeter converter is easy to operate Portable ultrasonic flowmeter converter is paired with sensor to use the transit-time difference for measuring flow rates in pipes from the outside. The compact, lightweight instrument offers high performance and accuracy, as well as easy and fast operation. It is capable of 12 hours of continuous operation with a built-in battery, which requires only 3 hours to recharge. A rugged NEMA 3X enclosure allows the unit to be exposed to rain, while the layout of the function keys aids the user with easy page selection and setting changes. Comes with built-in USB port. Dwyer Instruments Reply card # 27

Reply card # 30

Capacitive sensors monitor fill levels through closed containers To detect any non-conductive solid, liquid or granular material packaged in clear or opaque containers, capacitive sensors are capable of penetrating through packaging materials such as plastics, glass, cardboard, foam, and other substrates. The sensors are available in a range of housing sizes and designs, and offer extended sensing distances to facilitate installation. The sensors do not require direct contact with the target substrate, a feature that protects the sensor from damage. This non-invasive method of detection also ensures that the sensor’s housing cannot contaminate the target material. Available in cylindrical, rectangular and special designs. Baumer Reply card # 25

Nanomite syringe pump made for small spaces Exceptionally small syringe pump is designed for space-limited or remote applications. The pump’s high-pressure, micro-reactor delivery is suitable for cellular injection, chamber dosing, micro-dispensing and stereotaxic applications. It features a bright display, easy-to-use interface, and two modes of operation, constant flow or volume dispense mode. The enhanced micro-stepping pump profiles deliver very smooth and consistent flow that is virtually pulse free. Nonvolatile memory remembers the last syringe size, flow rate and configuration. Harvard Apparatus Reply card # 28

Benchtop pH meter is for basic and advanced measurements Meter measures pH, mV and temperature and has an LCD display that gives clear instructions for setup and measurement.

The meter provides up to five customizable calibration points and stores up to 100 readings, with real-time stamping, either manually or at programmable intervals.

Featuring a backlit 20-character alphanumeric two-line LCD display that prompts the user through measurements and calibration, the meter includes an advanced setup mode that lets the user customize parameters. Measurement resolution for pH is ±0.001 or ±0.01 pH (selectable), for mV is 0.1 mV, and in the temperature mode is 0.1°C/°F. Alliance Scale Reply card # 24

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Gas standards generator is flexible, automated Automated gas standards generating instrument is designed to provide total flexibility in creating precision gas mixtures. Mixtures are produced by diluting the emission from permeation tubes, or diffusion tubes with an inert diluent, typically nitrogen or zero air. Suitable for creating trace concentration – ppm, ppb, and pptr – mixtures. An internal microprocessor sets the operating mode and adjusts dilution flows to achieve desired concentrations. The instrument is small, easily transportable, and easily integrated with the manufacturer’s other gas mixing systems. Kin-Tek Laboratories

Immersion cooler eliminates need for costly coolants Designed to eliminate the inconvenience of handing dry ice or liquid nitrogen, immersion cooler saves both time and money.

The unit uses remote refrigerated probes and provides reliable, rapid cooling capability, down to -100ºC. With a durable, heavy-duty refrigeration system, the unit is designed to provide years of continuous trouble-free operation. Optional digital control with RS232 interface enables precise temperature control and provides controlling capability and data collection from a remote location. SP Industries Reply card # 31

Advanced moisture balance available at entry-level price Designed for use in laboratory, near-line process and remote QA/QC applications, moisture balance allows the user to measure the moisture content in any liquid or solid, quickly and accurately. Using the principle of loss on drying (LOD), the historic standard for moisture measurement, the instrument automatically weighs a sample, dries it, measures the weight loss due

Digital manometer has eight selectable engineering units Low cost, handheld digital manometer is available in gauge, absolute and differential pressure models with ranges as low as 28 InH2O. The unit features 8 user-selectable engineering units, min/

Sample tube rotator meets many mixing needs Tube rotator comes with numerous operational and accessory options to accommodate many sample mixing needs. The unit features microprocessor speed control with

22/06/09 1:30 PM

June 2009 ■ LABORATORY PRODUCT NEWS 9

General Products a range of 4-80 rpm which allows selection of the most suitable mixing action, from gentle to vigorous. In addition, adjustable angled head enables carousel positioning from 90º to 180º. The instrument provides five carousel options that can accommodate most sample tube sizes and types.

A digital timer will count time-down or time-up. Power pack is UL, CSA, and CE approved and each unit comes with a twoyear warranty. Boekel Scientific

cations, including tall-tower measurements as well as for research and reference laboratory use. In particular, the instrument delivers measurement precision down to 2 ppbv for CO, 50 ppbv for CO2. Based on the manufacturer’s wavelength-scanned cavity ring down spectroscopy (WSCRDS) technology, the new analyzer also provides quantitative data on H2O concentration levels. Picarro

Reply card # 32

Reply card # 35

Weighing scale is compact, versatile and affordable Scale offers quick and easy functionality combined with affordability. A sleek, low profile and compact size is suitable for tight working spaces of a laboratory. The scale is simple to use with colour-coded keys to highlight the most-used functions for faster operation. Five weighing units and modes provide versatility for different applications. Other features include a large backlit display for easy-to-read weighing, a stainless steel pan which is removable for easy cleaning, and a built-in rechargeable battery allowing it to be used anywhere without the need for external power. Adam Equipment Reply card # 33

Recirculating evaporator dries fractions up to 5x faster Standalone recirculating evaporator uses the gas flow created by a spinning rotor along with a heater to dramatically accelerate the evaporation of aqueous and organic solvents. The unit provides an efficient, sample-friendly drying environment, and is designed to evaporate fractions 3 to 5 times faster than conventional benchtop vacuum centrifuges or blow down concentrators without the need for a vacuum pump. The instrument also saves energy, laboratory space, maintenance, and eliminates oil cleanups, heat, noise and vacuum tubing. Available with standard rotor configurations for either four or eight 250 mL storage/media bottles (custom configurations are available). Modular SFC

Measurement time cut by up to 50% with FT-IR spectrometer

Infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer offers increased productivity and enhanced sensitivity for the analysis of even the most difficult samples. With a 50% increase in sensitivity over the previous model, manufacturer says the new spectrometer can analyze materials in applications that previously required a specialized detector. The instrument also has an advanced atmospheric compensation feature that removes spectral interference from water and carbon dioxide and can eliminate the need to take reference spectra before running an analysis. In addition, an automatic virtual instrument function enables easy method transfer from one instrument to another. PerkinElmer Reply card # 37

active impurities from the catalysts used in their production; but this technique does not involve such catalysts and, therefore, the carbon nano-materials are free from electrochemically active metal contamination. Preuse purification is not necessary, there is no solution contamination, and the overall result is an improvement in the consistency of the behaviour of the materials. Goodfellow Reply card # 44

Reply card # 36

rupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) system will feature enhanced high definition technologies the manufacturer says will accelerate scientists toward their research goals. The system will provide researchers with intuitive operation, application flexibility, and high performance for biopharmaceutical, metabolite identification, metabonomics, proteomics, biomarker studies, and food and environmental applications. It will be capable of qualitative and quantitative performance in excess of 40,000 FWHM resolution, high sensitivity, a data acquisition rate of 20 spectra/second, exact mass (1 ppm RMS) information and a dynamic range of up to five orders of magnitude. Waters Reply card # 40

Food industry inspection system performs automatically X-ray inspection systems can accurately detect contaminated products and discharges them safely before they can become a problem in the finished manufactured goods.

The inspections are carried out automatically and are documented so that data can be provided for the statistical evaluation of the control process. The key advantage of x-ray inspection systems is the diverse range of contaminations, including metals, ceramics, high-density plastics and the detection of cavities and rips in products. The system also performs functions including monitoring of form, volume and dimensions, fill level, weight and cracks within products, as well as completeness checks.

Sartorius Mechatronics Reply card # 34

UHD Q-TOF LC/MS offers fast analysis of complex samples Benchtop ultra-high-definition (UHD) quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) system is designed to offer superior data quality and advanced analytical capabilities, enabling researchers to profile, identify, characterize and quantify low molecular-weight compounds and biomolecules with greater confidence.

Thermal-gradient-focusing technology provides high femtogram MS/ MS sensitivity and identification of tracelevel compounds, while up to 500 ppb mass accuracy improves confidence and reduces false positives. Offers fast data acquisition rates of up to 20 spectra/second. System is suitable for state-of-the-art qualitative analysis in support of proteomic, metabolomic or non-targeted food safety and environmental studies. Agilent Technologies

Sieve shaker has 3-D sieving for heavy loads Three-dimensional sieve shaker can hold up to 450-mm-diameter test sieves. With an electromagnetic drive, the sieve shaker operates at an amplitude up to 2.2mm, which the manufacturer says is a much more efficient separation process than other sieve shakers of this size. User can digitally set the amplitude, interval and time of the sieving process, ensuring accurate, reproducible analysis. Suitable for both dry and wet sieving. Because it is designed for heavy sample loads, mesh sizes are available as large as 125 mm, down to 25 µm (500 mesh) and can hold up to 20 kg in weight. Retsch Reply Card # 39

Reply card # 38

Trace gas analyzer measures CO, CO2, and H2O Analyzer can simultaneously measure CO and CO2 with high precision, in real-time, and with minimal calibration required.

This makes it suitable for remotely operated (unattended) GHG monitoring appli-

V LPN JUNE 2009.indd 9

Manufacturing technique improves purity of carbon nanotubes A novel technique for the manufacture of carbon nanotubes produces nano-materials of very high purity at a scalable economy.

The materials are now available in quantities for research and product development.

Conventionally produced nano-materials include a high proportion of electrochemically

Dispensing and metering system provides very smooth flow Valveless dispensing and metering system uses dual pumps precisely synchronized to eliminate the pulsation the manufacturer says is typically present in other piston pump designs. The pump heads are integrally mounted to the control unit, which includes stepper motors, drivers and programmable electronics housed in a rugged anodized aluminum enclosure.

The unit is intuitive, menu-driven and uses convenient front-panel membrane switches and a large LCD display for programming. The system features pulse-free fluid delivery down to 15 µL/min continuous flow. The precision dual stepper controlled pumpheads are factory calibrated to the user’s flow range.

Fluid Metering Reply card # 41

Quadrupole TOFMS instrument to offer power and versatility Due to be released later this year, quad-

For daily news and updates Visit us on the web www.labcanada.com

22/06/09 1:30 PM

10 LABORATORY PRODUCT NEWS ■ June 2009

Lab Design

Robotics, smart conveying streamline specimen handling at national reference lab

I

t is not only one of the largest medical testing laboratories in the United States, ARUP Laboratories is also one of the most automated. Sporting the world’s largest clinical laboratory freezer, 60' x 30' x 26' in size, and operating at -20°C with a two-storey automated storage and retrieval system that can hold up to 5,220 stainless steel storage trays of specimens on indexed shelf locations, the system’s capacity exceeds 2.3 million individual specimens.

At the heart of the operation is a highly automated sorting and transport system consisting of two robotic sorters designed

by Motoman — which load and unload finished specimens into storage trays — and continuous-flow “smart” conveyors built

by Shuttleworth, which jointly retrieve and transport specimens for clinical testing in less than 2.5 minutes with a capacity of

Clinical laboratory freezer at ARUP stores 2.3 million individual specimens.

handling 4,000 specimens per hour. For high-volume, efficient laboratory specimen handling, the system is a showpiece of precision automation.

But it wasn’t always this way for Associated Regional and University Pathologists (ARUP), which for 20 years prior to automation was manually handling specimens. A national clinical and anatomic pathology reference laboratory and wholly owned by the University of Utah and its department of pathology, ARUP was created in 1984. ARUP supports the department of pathology by providing laboratory testing for the University of Utah Hospital and clinics while engaging in cutting-edge technology needed to establish ARUP as a leading national reference laboratory specializing in esoteric testing. ARUP has established itself as a role model for bridging the gap between academic medicine and successful business enterprise.

With 2,500 employees, ARUP offers in excess of 2,000 tests and test combinations, ranging from routine screening tests to highly esoteric molecular and genetic assays. ARUP’s clients include more than half of the nation’s university teaching hospitals and children’s hospitals, as well as multi-hospital groups, major commercial laboratories, group purchasing organizations, military and government facilities, and major clinics.

“Before automation, ARUP was using walk-in freezers at three different locations to store specimens,” says George

V LPN JUNE 2009.indd 10

Falk, project specialist at ARUP’s Central Support Services Group. “The samples were stored manually in cardboard trays, with a capacity of about 400,000 specimens. To find a sample, a tech had to go into the walk-in freezer with a box number (an X/Y reference) and search manually. Personnel were required to enter the freezer in pairs for safety reasons, wearing coats, when looking for a specimen, a labour-intensive and time-consuming process.”

In most clinical labs, 35 to 55 different tests comprise 80% of their total workload.

Due to ARUP’s esoteric testing environment, more than 1,000 different tests comprise 80% of its test volume, many of these being infrequent manual tests performed in small batches, making its automation needs very demanding. Such needs included the elimination of excessive handling and sorting, improved tracking, storage and retrieval of specimens for repeat or additional testing, and real-time communication among all of its laboratory-related software systems.

ARUP developed a software system, ESP (Expert Specimen Processing), to facilitate rules-based automation of its specimen processing. The initial computer input of the specimen information is done in the doctor’s office and assigned a barcode which is then logged into the ESP software. Even before the sample arrives at ARUP, all of the specimen’s data is available as to where it is going and what needs to be done with it. ESP then tracks the specimen with laser scanning of the attached barcode throughout its entire lifecycle within the system.

To further optimize sample processing and tracking, ARUP adopted a 5mL standardized transfer tube which fits into the system’s transport carriers. ESP and the standardized transfer tubes also facilitate use of an automated thawing and mixing work cell. It thaws and mixes frozen specimens while in the transport system at a rate of more than 1,000 per hour, thus reducing pre-analytical preparation time. It allows specimens in the transfer tubes to be thawed in 30 to 40 minutes instead of the typical frozen urine samples requiring five to six hours to thaw when in 90cc bottles.

Critical to the ARUP system’s success is its automated transport and sorting system which includes rapid transport to and from the specimen processing area and high-speed transfer into a large number of different sort groups. From even the most remote specimen processing workstation to the farthest robotic sorter, travel time on the 1,100 linear-ft track is less than eight minutes.

“The continuous flow of specimens to the robotic sorters, which are located near the laboratory area, has eliminated considerable walking from the lab to where the specimens are processed,” says Falk. “Prior to the implementation of ARUP’s automated track system, a typical specimen was manually sorted at least three times and handled seven to nine different times prior to testing.”

Smart conveyors into and out of the freezer use special technology that uses low-back pressure accumulation to minimize sample damage.

for entry into the freezer for storage.

Then, when a sample needs to be recalled for testing, the robot receives the storage tray or rack from the freezer and retrieves the designated sample which is then conveyed out to the requesting lab tech. A reader mounted on each of the robot’s six grippers reads barcodes as the tubes are rotated by the robot, eliminating the need to otherwise orient the barcodes. Each sorter handles up to 2,000 tubes per hour into user-definable targets. The sorter in the refrigerator can sort into 39 target racks. The post-analytic sorters sort into 8 user-definable targets for storage.

The sorting robots are positioned within a large refrigerator (4°C) located at the front of the freezer, which serves as an anteroom to the freezer. They use advanced planar drive technology for the movement of tubes and racks/trays within the robot.

Gears, belts and mechanical bearings are replaced with magnetic couplings and air bearings, reducing friction and wear on the robot’s four-axis motion components.

A PC-based control system communicates directly with the ESP to obtain specimen data, improving traceability and eliminating sorting errors. Similarly, sort results are passed back to ESP so full traceability of the specimen is available at all times.

Precise specimen placement

Specimen trays entering the refrigerator through the robot cells need to be precisely positioned for the robot grippers to contact the specimen tubes before releasing to the automated storage and retrieval system in the freezer for archiving. Likewise, specimens exiting the freezer from the automated storage and retrieval system must again be precisely

By Jim McMahon President, Zebra Communications

High-speed specimen sorting

Two sorting robots are attached to the automated track system. Optimized for high throughput, the robots automate the transfer of tubes from the automated track system into storage trays or racks

positioned to accommodate the exact placement of the robot grippers in the refrigerator before releasing to the lab.

This is accomplished through a specialized system of continuous-motion input and output conveyors.

These roller conveyors enable motion control of the specimen tubes. Product stops, pushers and clamps used to modify the flow of the tubes are all mounted below the surface. If these devices were coming in from the side, as would be required on a belt conveyor, plastic link conveyor or a table-top chain conveyor, they would interfere with the robotic arms.

The conveyors are equipped with special technology that minimizes sample damage by creating low back-pressure accumulation. Low-line pressure throughout the continuous-motion accumulation conveyors allows for precise product placement with the sorting robots. A low-pressure accumulation buffer absorbs irregularities in the production flow, and provides a smooth, even flow on the line.

The conveyors have individually powered rotating roller shafts and loose-fit rollers, which become the conveyor surface, powered by a continuous chain to control the drive force for the samples. When the samples stop on the surface of the conveyor, the segmented rollers beneath them also stop, generating low back-pressure accumulation, minimizing sample damage.

The conveyor system can be split into three independently operating lanes, so for example, the middle lane can accumulate while the right and left lanes can both convey.

The conveying system moves and positions the master rack and sample trays, the robotic cell then transfers specimens from the master rack to the various sample trays depending on what tests or diagnostics are to be performed. Specimen loading and unloading is managed by the continuousflow conveyors, providing walk-away time sufficient to meet the needs of the lab. With an overall retrieval time of less than 2.5 minutes, the requested tubes are typically in a rack waiting for the employee when he or she arrives at the checkout station.

“Tracking of the specimen has improved greatly,” says Falk. “We know immediately where the specimen is. There are labour savings, time savings and the system is much more convenient.”

For more data on the robot system, circle reply card # 12

A reader mounted on each of the robot’s 6 grippers reads barcodes as the tubes are rotated into position.

For more data on the conveying system, circle reply card # 13

22/06/09 1:31 PM

June 2009 ■ LABORATORY PRODUCT NEWS 11

Lab Design

Vacuum networks a flexible alternative to central vac systems Local area vacuum network provides high-quality vacuum for as many as ten laboratory workstations from a single local “server” pump. The system combines the economies of a house vacuum, with the performance and control of dedicated pumps for each application, while conserving bench space and energy. The network is built on a quiet, corrosion-resistant, oil-free diaphragm pump. The modular workstations can be fitted with electronic vacuum control, flow control or both, allowing for upgrades and reconfigurations. The networks are suitable for situations including multidisciplinary lab buildings, laboratory renovations, multi-tenant science/flexible buildings, clean rooms and bio-containment suites. BrandTech Scientific Reply card # 46

applications, particularly within unsupervised areas. The standard products include 12 or 16 key keypads with a choice of telephone or hexadecimal II configurations. Customization can include ‘halo’ illumination, with a library of more than 20 different illuminated key characters available. Character-design service and laser engraving facilities are also available. EAO Reply card # 48

Static control mat is heat and chemical resistant Three-layer rubber static control mat is heat resistant, unlike three-layer vinyl mats.

Made with a chemically resistant rubber top, it has a lightly embossed pattern on the top layer to reduce slippage. The .120in thick mats offer a soft, comfortable work surface, and the 2.2x107 – 5x108 ohm resistance-to-ground value exceed EOS/ESD requirements. Available in a wide range of configurations, including rolls, in blue, brown and gray. Each mat includes a 10-ft grounding cord with common-point hardware. Techni-Tool

Clean air module purifies room environments

Universal clean air module contains clean air scrubbers that provide reliable protection against many airborne contaminants. Available in two models, both are selfcontained units capable of filtering particulates where ISO Class 7 and Class 8 air quality is desired. The cabinet uses rough disposable prefilters to help prolong the life cycle of the main 99.99% HEPA filter. The units can be used to recirculate air in a defined area, or be placed between two distinct areas to act as a positive or negative pressure the outlet side will have higher (positive) air pressure. Applications involve any function where superior air quality is needed; clinical/medical, biological terrorism, and construction. NuAire Reply card # 56

protocol for building automation and control networks). Setra Systems Reply card # 52

8-ft dimensions, provide an entirely nonferrous working environment. Casework available with a marble finish, and black polypropylene countertop material is suitable for use where chemical attack and staining are a problem for other countertop materials. TFI Inline Design Reply card # 51

Reply card # 50

Workstation has adjustable height Adjustable height workstation combines ergonomic comfort, flexible functionality and enhanced productivity. It can be easily adjusted to accommodate each user with the appropriate work surface height. With an adjustable height ranging from 27” to 42” (not including work surface), the workstation can be adjusted through the use of a motorized base, hand-crank base or slide-leg base. The motorized base can be preset with three height positions. All uprights and components move in relation to the work surface height. Load capacity is 1000 lbs dynamic for motorized bases and 500 lbs dynamic for the hand crank base. Lista International Reply card # 47

Rugged custom keypads offer seamless integration Fully customized, illuminated keypads are ready to integrate within any application. Using keypads constructed from ultra-tough Zamac, the manufacturer can design a stylish and distinctive keypad tailor-made for applications within demanding and harsh environments. The keypads are well suited for security and access control

V LPN JUNE 2009.indd 11

Instrument monitors positive and negative room pressure Room-pressure monitor is designed for pharmaceutical, hospital, semiconductor, clean rooms, research laboratories, and critical low differential pressure applications that require stringent pressure monitoring and alarming. It monitors the positive or negative pressure in protected environments and airborne infection isolation rooms per CDC guidelines. The SRPM monitor combines very low-pressure sensor technology with electronics, measuring and displaying highly accurate pressure readings to 0.001 inches of water column LPNAug07BH1100MottLab 8/13/07 resolution.

The monitor also now meets the standards of BACnet (data communication

Perforated cleanroom tables allow uniform airflow through surface Stainless steel cleanroom tables are perforated to allow uniform airflow through the work surface, and eliminate eddies and stagnant air pockets that are on or above the work surface of solid-top tables. They feature a stainless steel support frame and are suitable for vertical flow cleanroom applications. Continuous-top and perimeterframe models are available. The table tops are made from a single sheet of stainless steel that is perforated, forming a continuous, smooth top. Special table reinforcing is installed, so that none of the holes are blocked, and the underside of the table can be easily cleaned. Clean Air Products Reply card # 53

Thermoplastic hoods and casework offer safety and reliability All-plastic hoods and casework are resistant to harsh, corrosive chemicals. The polypropylene hoods are used in trace metals laboratories and many corrosive environments where metals cannot be tol4:38 PM Both Page the 1 counter tops and laminar erated. flow hoods, available in 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- and

Solid-state voltage regulator protects sensitive instruments New solid-state voltage regulator is designed to eliminate costly power disturbances that wreak havoc with sensitive laboratory instrumentation, testing results and process flow. The 1.5kVA, 2.2kVA and 3kVA units deliver pure regulated power in a compact and lightweight 31-lb package.

An active electronic design regenerates ultra-clean, regulated power, assuring the highest level of protection against problematic generator frequency shifts, surges, sags and extended brownouts. This constant, clean power is designed to assure accurate test samples, maximizes equipment runtime and prevents costly re-testing. The unit can operate in harsh temperature environments, from 0º to 55ºC. Falcon Electric Reply card # 54

Circle Reply Card # 113

22/06/09 1:31 PM

12 LABORATORY PRODUCT NEWS ■ June 2009

Lab Design $200M lab building gets state-of-art HVAC design The HVAC specification for three new laboratories at the University of Chicago had typical temperature and humidity requirements for state-of-the-art laser-based physics research, but there were also some unusual ventilation requirements.

“T

Makers of Quality Plastic Laboratory Hoods, Casework and Custom Plastic Fabricated Products for Today’s Industries 800-288-6823 www.tfiinlinedesign.com

Circle Reply Card # 114

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he research professor didn’t want to feel or hear the airflow from the lab’s ductwork, because it might affect the laser experiments,” said John Phillips, lab manager for the university’s new $200 million Gordon Center for Integrative Science at the University of Chicago.

This is because HVAC air system turbulence or a lack of temperature uniformity from disproportionate airflows in these types of physics labs can cause very sophisticated and expensive instruments such as lasers electrons and microscopes to go out of alignment at nanoscale, degrading their precision, according to Peter Pogorski, principal of Ellenzweig, the project’s architecture firm that specializes in the design of scientific, medical research and teaching facilities. “The instrumentation can get very hot quickly; it is vulnerable to internal condensation, structural or airborne vibration, and contamination such as dust, so providing a stable lab environment requires sophisticated products, engineering and installation,” he adds.

The three labs are part of dozens of physics, chemistry and biology labs and offices making up the 427,000-sq-ft facility – the 117-year-old university’s second largest building – that is now home to some 80 senior scientists and 700 other researchers.

While air distribution is a straightforward mechanical engineering task in most buildings, this project had unique challenges. Providing an airflow discharge velocity that is less than 25-fpm, so as not to disrupt the laser and vacuum equipment’s sensitivities, while simultaneously maintaining strict 70°F (±1°F) temperatures is nearly impossible with conventional HVAC metal duct/register systems. “Temperature swings cause expansion or contraction of laser tables, which in turn change the laser beam and skew research results,” says John Phillips.

Instead of metal duct, Steve Levin, principal with Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting Engineers (BR+A), specified fabric air dispersion for the three labs where the laser-based physics research is conducted.

“Just sound waves from a person’s voice or a gentle draft from an HVAC duct can skew electron microsopy scans,” says Phillips, “so airflow must be very subtle with no noise or turbulence.”

The cylindrical model of fabric air dispersion units designed specially for the strict airflow requirements of laboratories was manufactured by DuctSox. The series offers a variety of low-throw fabrics where air is dispersed gently and evenly at low fpm’s versus typical metal duct/registers

systems, which create too many drafts even after test and balance refinements.

While mechanical contractor, FE Moran, completed the entire building’s HVAC work, Kirby Sheet Metal Works was the build-to-suit contractor after a newly hired researcher needed more stringent HVAC performance in three generically designed labs. Thus, the fabric duct’s flexibility served another purpose of easing the installation, which given the predominance of existing utility piping, would have been difficult with the rigidity of conventional metal duct, according to Robert Simek, project manager, Kirby Sheet Metal Works.

Each lab has two 12-ft-long runs with diameters ranging between nine and 12-in.

They are suspended by H-Track suspension systems, which minimize sway. Air Products Equipment was the manufacturer’s representative that assisted with sizing, permeability and other factory engineered features of the fabric duct.

To supply the fabric air dispersion units as well as the entire building, BR+A specified a Filtrine chiller that provides chilled water to nine 100% outside-air-packaged HVAC units with variable frequency drives (VFD) from Enviro-Tec by Johnson Controls, located in the facility’s basement.

To supply the three small physics labs, the building’s central system provides outside air to three 1,000 to 1,500-cfm dehumidifying HVAC units in order to maintain relative humidity under 40%. As with all the labs, the physics labs with fabric ductwork also use VFDs for proper air balancing.

Johnson Controls provided the building automation system that monitors and controls each laboratory’s supply and exhaust system cfms throughout the building with a slight positive pressure.

On a long-term basis, the more environmental condition consistencies that are achieved within the lab eliminate variables on experiments that span many years.

Unlike metal duct when it needs cleaning, fabric duct is easily disassembled.

Therefore, the University of Chicago’s maintenance staff will commercially launder the fabric duct if and when John Phillips sees the need for cleaning it.

“It seems many physicists would be happy with a Space Shuttle on earth where there’s zero gravity and zero atmosphere, but until that happens, it looks like fabric duct is excellent for laboratories that require minimum turbulence and noise combined with even air dispersion,” said Ellenzweig’s Pogorski.

For more data on the fabric ductwork, circle reply card # 14.

22/06/09 1:31 PM

June 2009 ■ LABORATORY PRODUCT NEWS 13

S

Biotechnology/Life Sciences Laboratory automation system to increase efficiency for Brant Community Healthcare System

iemens Healthcare Diagnostics was recently awarded a contract from the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) to supply and install a comprehensive lab system that will combine and fully automate the three disciplines of chemistry, haematology and coagulation. The new system, expected to be up and running this fall, will set new performance standards and optimize patient test reports, allowing BCHS to save valuable time and increase the efficiency of the testing process.

Located in Brantford and Brant County in Ontario, BCHS is comprised of two sites. The Brantford General Hospital was established in 1885 and is the region’s only acute care hospital. It is a regional centre for emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynaecology, critical care, medical and surgical services, paediatrics, complex continuing care, mental health, rehabilitation, diagnostic imaging and the Wescast Centre for Ambulatory Care. It is also home to a specialized cancer care clinic and the SC Johnson Dialysis Clinic.

The Willett site in Paris provides urgent care, primary care, outpatient programs,

outreach services, rehabilitation therapies, health promotion and partnerships to help maintain and improve the community’s health.

The new system will enable the laboratory staff to perform high-volume blood work testing and operate more efficiently using its current resources. Automatically managing patient specimens from beginning to end, the new automated system will produce results more quickly and efficiently, resulting in a projected 40% reduction overall in the time physicians are waiting for test results. The new configuration will also take up less floor space, as it combines chemistry, immunochemistry, haematology and coagulation in one process.

“Patient safety is a key element of our corporate priority and this new system ensures we are in a position to provide better service to our patients and clients in less time,” says Don Manning, di- Don Manning

rector, imaging and laboratory services of the BCHS. “There will be no disruption in services during the installation and testing period and the process will be seamless to our patients.”

“With the new system in place, we are confident BCHS will deliver exceptional performance with respect to clinical information and test results,” says Jim Graziadei, general manager of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. A key component of the system is a central data management system that allows operators Jim Graziadei to manage data from multiple analyzers and disciplines through one workstation.

The data archive feature, which reduces the amount of time spent on administrative tasks, will enhance the lab’s ability to provide clinical diagnostic information.

“The software sophistication combined with the automation aspect of the new system is amazing,” says Manning. “The

system manages each patient sample individually, recognizing precisely where that sample needs to go, then routing it for optimal efficiency.” This reduces the number of steps needed to sort, process, and archive samples saving time and reducing the potential for error by minimizing the physical handling of samples prior to, in between, and following testing.

A key feature of the new system will be the ability to identify results and tag for retesting to ensure accuracy. The haematology analyzers will also attribute to a 30% reduction in the amount of blood film smears manually generated/reviewed by providing more detailed patient results the first time around. “The retesting feature alone will enhance our performance and provide patients with peace of mind, knowing the results are verified,” says Manning.

The open aspect of the configuration allows the flexibility to add new equipment, such as analytical components and solutions, for optimal efficiency and scalability in the future.

sample. There is no need to prime chips, stain / de-stain gels, image gels or annotate gel images. The system can run just a few samples, leaving unused lanes available for future experiments and reducing the waste commonly encountered with chip-based systems and pre-cast gels. Lab 901

ability to sequence rare libraries where suboptimal amounts of the tissue are available. Fluidigm

For more information, circle reply card # 57

Reply card # 65

Reply card # 61

Cold storage system provides affordable sample integrity Automated -20°C cold storage system for compounds and biological samples ensures sample integrity by maintaining a precise storage environment at user-determined levels, between +20˚C and -40˚C. Based on the technology behind the manufacturer’s -80°C storage system, this unit is a lower throughput, automated system that offers sample format flexibility, cherry-picking, sample tracking and easy-to-use software all within a compact footprint. The system’s sample tracking software provides an audit trail and complete chain of custody documentation for regulated environments. Hamilton Storage Technologies

System provides more precise nebulizer testing Practical, easy-to-use system improves the accuracy and reproducibility of inhaler product testing for solution-based devices such as nebulizers. New pharmacopoeia monographs for nebulizer testing recommend using the next-generation pharmaceutical impactor (NGI) for droplet-size analysis. They also highlight the issue of evaporative loss, which may result in artificially low particle-size measurements. The new system’s rapid cooling action and ability to maintain stable temperatures throughout the test help avoid this problem. Rapid cooling ensures that test temperatures, user adjustable to as low as 3oC, are reached in less than 5 minutes; temperature stability is to within +/-1.5oC. Copley Scientific Reply card # 62

Reply card # 60

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Columns for isolating, purifying and concentrating biomolecules Pre-packed mini-columns provide convenience and productivity for isolating, purifying and concentrating biomolecules from aqueous samples. Available in a range of pre-packed 1ml columns for ion-exchange, affinity and hydrophobic interaction, the mini-columns use a novel, high-performance liquid chromatography media optimized for the purification of proteins, enzymes, endotoxins and other biomolecules.

Manufactured from spherical cellulose particles in a ISO 9001 (2000) approved production facility, it offers chemical stability, high mechanical strength and complete bio-compatibility. AMSBIO Reply card # 66

Bacterial culture storage and retrieval are simplified

Reply card # 58

Versatile and powerful transfection reagent for DNA and siRNA Reagent for DNA and siRNA transfection brings pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers a number of advantages for day-to-day transfection experiments.

The reagent may be used for DNA as well as siRNA transfection in order to conduct transient gene expression studies and gene silencing by RNA interference. It is very efficient regardless of the nucleic acid delivered and gentle to cells because it uses smaller amounts of both nucleic acid and reagent. In addition, it is adapted to cotransfection of DNA and siRNA. Polyplustransfection

DNA quantification system allows sequencing of rare samples Sample quantification system allows researchers to sequence their libraries of rare samples and lowers costs, improves data quality and speeds up time-to-results for scientists performing nextgeneration DNA sequencing. The system is designed to improve the productivity of next-generation sequencing tools from Roche, Illumina and Applied Biosystems. It does so by exploiting the microfluidic properties of integrated fluidic circuits (IFCs) to detect only amplifiable molecules within the sample mixture. IFCs use extremely small amounts of sample, so this technology opens up the

System provides rapid protein electrophoresis and analysis Generating results in only one minute per sample, protein system combines gel loading, electrophoresis, imaging and analysis.

Results include a gel image, electropherogram, molecular weight determination and % purity - all generated in 60 seconds per

Convenient, ready-to-use system is designed to simplify the storage and retrieval of bacterial cultures. Manufacturer says it is a more reliable method for maintaining important cultures than repetitive subculture, which can result in altered characteristics, lost organisms, or contaminated cultures.

This system provides microbiologists with quick four-step procedure to traditional methods of lyophilization or use of glycerol broth. Extensive reference data is available from customers, centres of excellence, and reference collection sites around the world.

Available in five colour-coded presentations (80 vials each) which enables colour coding of different species or strains of bacteria. Each vial contains around 25 beads, providing repeated cultures of the original organism. Pro-Lab Diagnostics Reply card # 59

22/06/09 1:32 PM

14 LABORATORY PRODUCT NEWS ■ June 2009

Biotechnology/Life Sciences

Platforms optimize cytotoxicity studies Designed for the study of cytotoxicity, platforms use a fluorescence microplate cytometer and a number of new solutions for toxicity profiling developed by Invitrogen. The laser scanning cytometer is an ultra-high throughput system for cellbased screening that offers enhanced multiplexing capability to maximize data content and the rapid generation of robust data sets when deployed with Invitrogen‘s ready-to-use kits and reagents. With these high-content screening products, a number of cytotoxic phenomena can be analyzed including cell viability, DNA damage and cell cycle processes such as mitosis. TTP LabTech Reply card # 67

UV hand-held lamps for low-cost gradient sampling Portable UV lamps are designed to be convenient for obtaining inexpensive gradient sampling. The small, lightweight lamps can easily be carried wherever they are needed, saving lab personnel trips to the darkroom, for example, to use a UV transilluminator.

The lamps make faint DNA bands much more visible and are essential when isolating the DNA bands on a CsCl solution.

Many researchers use ethidium bromide staining to monitor the progress of gradient separation of the DNA bands from agarose gel slices, but manufacturer says the lamps ensure a higher sensitivity of detection during such separation, without damaging the ethidium bromide-stained DNA. Spectronics Reply card # 68

Large molecule program expanded The supplier says it has expanded its bioanalytical services in the area of large molecule bioanalysis; protein-based and oligonucleotide-based therapeutics. It offers ligand binding assays (LBA) which are suitable for macromolecular drug therapeutics, immunogenicity screening and biomarkers in biological matrices. Enzyme immunoassays (EIA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based applications are the primary tools for these services. BASi Reply card # 64

LC system provides high resolution molecular characterization Liquid chromatography system is designed for small sample volumes and concentrations, giving reproducible high-resolution purification and enabling characterization

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of target molecules. The system includes a kit for collection of minute fraction volumes and an adapted wizard control system for improved ease of use. With an optional degasser and the ability to connect to light scattering detectors, the system is suitable for molecular characterization.

The system is bioinert, so it can be used for purification of target molecules from numerous sources, such as intact proteins, protein complexes and nucleotides. GE Healthcare Reply card # 69

Library has new compounds to enhance rapid drug discovery

Six new biologically targeted libraries were recently launched. The new libraries contain novel, drug-like compounds that specifically target ion channels, kinases and proteases. The ion channel library was designed with the developer’s helical domain recognition analysis approach, which links X-ray, sequence alignment and SAR data. Four new kinase libraries target hinge, DFG-out and novel binding modes. A new protease library targets cysteine and serine proteases and was designed with a new technique which is based on structures of more than 50 protease-ligand complexes available from the protein data bank, providing a potentially widely applicable protease scaffold template. BioFocus DPI Reply card # 63

Internet Directory White wells can improve qPCR results Real-time PCR plates offer researchers the ability to significantly improve real-time PCR data. The plates feature titanium dioxide, which gives the reaction chambers a bright white, opaque colour. The manufacturer says this results in an up-to-10fold increase in reflection of fluorescence, providing better data for cutting-edge applications such as low volume qPCR. Additionally, white wells significantly reduce interfering background fluorescence and lead to increased homogeneity of replicates and reproducible results. The new consumable helps researchers performing real-time PCR reach the crucial goal of optimization and achieve accurate, reproducible results. Eppendorf Reply card # 70

Device concentrates protein from a single drop

Instrumentation BETATEK INC. www. betatekinc.com Betatek Inc. is a Canadian distributor of high quality laboratory instrumentation and equipment used by Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Food, Government and University Research Laboratories.”

BYK-GARDNER USA www.bykgardner. com BYK-Gardner, a member of ALTANA Chemie, is a manufacturer of quality control instruments for color, gloss, haze, orange peel, DOI and physical testing properties including application, dispersion, film thickness, viscosity and several more.

CANALYTICAL www.canalytical.com Canalytical is the distributor for Teledyne Leeman Labs’ ICP and Mercury Analyzers, Shimadzu Atomic Absorption and OES Spectrometers as well as their quality line of physical testing equipment.

LONDON SCIENTIFIC www.londonscientific.com LSL offers electrochemistry systems for sensor, fuel cell, material (i.e. conductive polymer), corrosion and nanotech research. Our enose, etongue and GC systems are used in sensory, counterfeit and competitive analysis in Food, Pharma and Packaging applications.

New 0.5 mL centrifugal filters for protein concentration and buffer exchange offers 25- to 30-fold concentration with 90% recovery rates in as little as ten minutes of centrifugation. Providing very high recovery with fast spin time for its product class, the device is currently available with either 3,000 or 10,000 molecular weight cut-off ultrafiltration membrane. Manufacturer says more cut-offs will soon be introduced.

The filter combines vertical membrane orientation with a special reverse spin capability, enabling both fast concentration and high yields. Millipore

METTLER TOLEDO www.mt.com METTLER TOLEDO specializes in weighing and analytical solutions.

We offer the most comprehensive range of services in our industry on a global level.

Laboratory Equipment & Supplies

Reply card # 72

INDIGO® INSTRUMENTS www.indigo.com Molecular models, borosilicate test tubes, pH test strips, magnifying glasses (geology loupes) & superstrong rare earth magnets for the research scientist & engineer.

LABCONCO CORPORATION www.labconco.com Labconco Corporation is an ISO 9001 manufacturer of laboratory fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, glassware washers, multiple sample evaporators, centrifugal concentrators, freeze dry systems and balance enclosures.

VACUUBRAND, INC. www.vacuubrand.net Oil free vacuum pumps. Hg free vacuum gauges, exceptional chemical tolerance; for laboratories, industry, OEMS; free application guide and catalog.

Separation Techniques PICKERING LABORATORIES, INC. www.pickeringlabs.com Pickering Laboratories, Inc. manufactures columns, high-purity reagents, and post-column derivatization instruments that enable analysis with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography including Amino Acids, Carbamates, Glyphosate and others.

CARBOLITE® www.carbolite.us Email: sales@ carbolite-usa.com Today’s leading supplier of laboratory furnace and oven products for use in the research, testing and pilot plant environment. Furnaces to 1800ºC, Ovens to 600ºC. For information on how your links can appear here and on Laboratory Product News’ website www.labcanada.com, contact Natalie Quammie at 416-510-5198 or at nquammie@bizinfogroup.ca

Reply card # 71

Sorbents help to optimize laboratory efficiency Advanced chromatography sorbents for processing large amounts of protein during the capture and intermediate steps of purification are designed to boost cost/time savings for laboratory to production scale applications. With Q and S chemistries, they share the same matrix platform with the company’s mixed-mode sorbents (MEP, HEA and PPA ligands). The new sorbents help process recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies, plasma derivatives and other proteins from various feedstock. Pall

GENEQ INC www.geneq.com Geneq is a distributor of laboratory equipment and supplies for biotechnological research.

Advertisers’ Index R.S. NO.

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112 .............Medica 2009 ....................(Messe Dusseldorf) ................ 7 113 .............Mottlab Inc .......................... 11 150 .............Mottlab Inc .......................... 15 110 .............Omega Engineering ............... 3 151 .............Omega Engineering ............. 15 115 .............Pall Life Sciences .............. OBC 152 .............Pall Life Sciences ................. 15 111 .............Sanyo Biomedical .................. 5

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153 .............Sanyo Biomedical ................... 5 114 .............TFI Inline .............................. 12 154 .............TFI Inline .............................. 15 Also in this issue: Best Glove product card Mottlab Inc product card ESBE brochure

22/06/09 1:32 PM

June 2009 ■ LABORATORY PRODUCT NEWS 15

Laboratory Literature Reviews DILBERT® CONTROLCAT® NEW HORIZONS® IN TEMPERATURE, FLOW, AND PRESSURE — VERSION NO. 21

LABORATORY FURNITURE AND FUME HOODS

Pall’s Technical Guide presents studies that show how HPLC column life can be extended up to 46 times. The importance of low binding in a variety of API chemistries and structures is also presented.

Email lab@pall.com or download at www.pall.com/laboratory_41810.asp PALL LIFE SCIENCES

Features 190 full color pages of the latest products for the temperature, flow, environmental, pressure, DAS and heaters market including Accelerometers, Calibrators, Chart Recorders, Controllers, Data Acquisition Systems, Data Loggers and much more. For more information, go to omega.com/literature.

OMEGA

mottLAB is your best source for high quality flexible, mobile and fixed laboratory furniture systems including standard, “high performance” and custom fume hoods all designed for a wide variety of laboratory applications.

For more information about us, please visit our website at www.mottlab.com.

MOTTLAB INC. Circle Reply Card No. 150

THE SANYO STERISONICTM GXP- INDUSTRY’S FIRST INCUBATOR WITH RAPID H2O2 STERILIZATION The SANYO Sterisonic™ GxP limits downtime to less than three hours for total chamber sterilization. Combined with the patented Active Background Contamination Control™, SafeCell™ UV system and InCuSaFe™ copper-enriched stainless steel interior, the MCO19AIC-UVH with H202 rapid decontamination is the most energy efficient and time-saving incubation system available. www.sanyobiomedical.com SANYO BIOMEDICAL

TECHNICAL GUIDE FROM PALL

Circle Reply Card no. 152

Circle Reply Card No. 151

HOODS, CASEWORK AND FABRICATED PRODUCTS CATALOG

The 2009

TFI/Inline Design Corporation manufactures non-metallic hoods and casework designed to perform under the most demanding corrosive environmental conditions in today’s laboratories and is recognized as “the” standard of quality by architects and lab planners. www.tfiinline.design.com TFI/INLINE DESIGN CORPORATION

Laboratory Buyers’ Guide available now For information, go online to:

Circle Reply Card no. 154

www.businessinformationgroup.ca/laboratories

Circle Reply Card No. 153

Coming Events 2009 July 12-15, IAFP 2009 - 96th Annual Meeting,

September 13-17, American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Annual Symposium,

Grapevine, TX, International Association for Food Protection, T: 515-276-3344, F: 515-276-8655, info@foodprotection.org, www.foodprotection.org

Anaheim, T: 919-773-2044, F: 919-773-2602, RD7134@fss.ocgov.com, www.ascld.org

July 19-23, AAPM 51st Annual Meeting, Anaheim, American Association of Physicists in Medicine, T: 301-209-3350, F: 301-209-0862, aapm@aapm.org, www.aapm.org

July 19-23, 2009 AACC/CSCC Joint Conference, Chicago, Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists, T: 613-531-8899, F: 613-531-0626, office@cscc.ca, www.cscc.ca/

July 19-22, Sixth Annual World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing, Montreal, Biotechnology Industry Organization, T: 202-962-9200, F: 202-589-2545, info@bio.org, www.bio.org

July 21-25, 2009 ASCLS Annual Meeting, Chicago, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, T: 301-657-2768, F: 301-657-2909, ascls@ascls.org, www.ascls.org

July 25-29, 23rd Symposium of the Protein Society, Boston, Protein Society, T: 301-634-7277, F: 301-634-7271, cyablonski@proteinsociety.org, www.proteinsociety.org

September 14-16, 2009 CMA Annual Conference & Exhibit, Winnipeg, Canadian Mineral Analysts, T: 204-224-1443, forrest@mint.ca, www.canadianmineralanalysts.com

October 13-14, Gulf Coast Conference, Galveston, T: 281-256-8807, F: 281-256-8864, www.gulfcoastconference.com

October 16-20, Asilomar Conference on Mass Spectrometry, Pacific Grove, American Society for Mass Spectrometry, T: 505-989-4517, F: 505-989-1073, office@asms.org, www.asms.org

October 18-22, 20th World Diabetes Congress, September 19-23, NATAS 39th Annual Conference, North American Thermal Analysis Society,

Montreal, www.worlddiabetescongress.org

T: 270-745-2220, F: 270-745-2221, natas@wku.edu, www.natasinfo.org

October 18-22, FACSS, Louisville, Federation of

September 21-25, International High Containment Operations and Maintenance Workshop, Winnipeg, International Centre for

Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies, T: 505-820-1648, F: 505-989-1073, facss@facss.org, http://facss.org/facss

October 19-20, Animal Research Facilities,

Springs, Association for Laboratory Automation, T: 888-733-1252, F: 630-578-0172, info@ labautomation.org, www.labautomation.org

County Convention Center, Orlando, Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, T: 412-825-3220, F: 412-825-3224, info@pittcon.org, www.pittcon.org

March 9-12, 14th International Congress on Infectious Disease, Miami, International Society for

Scottsdale, T: 925-254-1744, F: 925-254-1093, bill@tradelineinc.com, www.tradelineinc.com

September 22-25, ABIC 2009, Bangkok, Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference, T: 306-975-1939, F: 306-975-1966,

October 20, 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Craniofacial Genetics, Honolulu,

March 23-26, Analytica 2010, Munich, Germany,

T: 937-775-1462, F: 937-775-1456, richard.sherwood@ wright.edu, http://craniofacialgenetics.org

T: 416-237-9939, F: 416-237-9920, bmertens@canada-unlimited.com, www.analytica.de

October 20-24, ASGH 2009 Annual Meeting,

April 5-9, 2010 MRS Spring Meeting, San

Honolulu, American Society of Human Genetics, T: 301-634-7300, F: 301-634-7079, mryan@ashg.org

Francisco, Materials Research Society, T: 724-779-3003, F: 724-779-8313, info@mrs.org, www.mrs.org

October 25-30, MS&T 2009, Pittsburgh, American

April 24-28, Experimental Biology 2010, Anaheim, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, T: 301-634-7000, gswindle@faseb.org, www.faseb.org

abicfoundation@abic.ca, www.abic.ca

October 1-4, BCSLS Congress, BC Society of Laboratory Scientists, T: 604-714-1760, F: 604-738-4080, bcsls@telus.net, www.bcsls.net

October 5, 15th CVG Annual Convention & Exhibition, Toronto, Calibration and Validation Group, T: 450 505-1406, registration@cvg.ca, www.cvg.ca

T: 202-872-4600, F: 202-872-4615, natlmtgs@acs.org, www.acs.org

October 6-8, Biotechnica, Hannover, Deutsche

October 27-29, LAB 2009, NEC Birmingham, UK,

Messe AG, katharina.siebert@messe.de, www.messe.de

T: +49 341 678 1211, F: +49 341 678 1212, info@lab-uk.co.uk, www.lab-uk.co.uk

August 23-29, 8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering & 59th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, Montreal,

October 6, Southwestern Laboratory Exposition, University of Western Ontario, London Hall Room 100, 1140 Western Road London, Canadian Laboratory Suppliers Association, T: 519-579-7598, F: 519-579-8134, jhowes@clsassoc.com, www.clsassoc.com

August 30-September 4, 18th International Mass Spectrometry, Bremen, Germany,

October 7-8, BioContact Quebec 16th Edition,

T: +613 9479 2516, F: +613 9479 1399, j.traeger@latrobe.edu.au, www.imsc-bremen-2009.de

Quebec City, T: 418-694-8778, F: 418-694-0614, lysbeth@biocontact.qc.ca, www.biocontact.qc.ca

September 13-16, 2nd European Congress of Immunology, Berlin, Germany, T: +49 30 24 60 3-0,

October 11-14, Bioenergy Engineering, Bellevue,

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January 23-27, LabAutomation 2010, Palm

Infectious Diseases, T: 204-946-0908, F: 204-946-0927, info@icid.com, www.icid.com

August 16-20, American Chemical Society Meeting & Exposition, Washington, DC,

F: +49 30 24 60 3-200, info@kit-group.org, www.eci-berlin2009.com

Mass Spectrometry, T: 505-989-4517, F: 505-9891073, office@asms.org, www.asms.org

February 28-March 5, Pittcon 2010, Orange

Ceramic Society, T: 614-794-5829, F: 614-794-5882, mmecklenborg@ceramics.org, http://ceramics.org

T: 613-232-6252, F: 613-232-5862, conferences@cheminst.ca, www.wcce8.org

2010 January 22-25, Sanibel Conference on Mass Spectrometry, St Petersburg, American Society for

November 16-19, Eastern Analytical Symposium & Exposition, Somerset, T: 610-485-4633, F: 610-485-9467, easinfo@aol.com, www.eas.org

Infectious Diseases, T: 617-277-0551, F: 617-278-9113, info@isid.org, www.isid.org

May 2-5, BIO 2010, Chicago, Biotechnology Industry Organization, T: 202-962-9200, F: 202-589-2545, info@bio.org, www.bio.org

May 23-27, 58th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry, Salt Lake City, American Society for Mass Spectrometry, T: 505-989-4517, F: 505-989-1073, office@asms.org, www.asms.org

November 18-21, MEDICA 2009, Dusseldorf,

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, T: 269-429-0300, F: 269-429-3852, mcknight@asabe.org, www.asabe.org

Messe Dusseldorf Canada, T: 416-598-1524, F: 416-598-1840, messeduesseldorf@germanchamber.ca, www.medica.de

June 24-28, Focis 2010, Boston, Federation of

December 2-5, 22nd Annual Tandem Mass Spectrometry Workshop, Lake Louise, Canadian

July 11-15, APIC 2010, New Orleans, Association for

Society for Mass Spectrometry, Kerry.Peru@ec.gc.ca, www.csms.inter.ab.ca

Clinical Immunology Societies, T: 414-359-1670, F: 414-359-1671, info@focisnet.org, www.focisnet.org

Professionals in Infectious Control and Epidemiology, T: 202-789-1890, F: 202-789-1899, APICinfo@apic.org, www.apic.org

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