Researchers from the University of Birmingham, U.K., have confirmed the speed, accuracy and simplicity of a novel, highly sensitive testing method for COVID-19 that can be deployed at entertainment venues, airport arrival terminals, and in remote settings where clinical testing laboratories are not available. The scientists used a three way comparison study to confirm that the Exponential Amplification Reaction (EXPAR) method is just as sensitive, but faster, than both PCR and LAMP tests...
Watch two scientists with two different research focus areas read their love letters, where they will share the details of their aspirations, admiration and of course, their very similar love for their cells. “Soon, we will develop artificial cells capable of defending the body from viral or bacterial infections” Dr. Vivek A. Kamat, Postdoctoral Associate has a particular focus on understanding how cells respond to electrical impulses in order to help develop implantable or variable sensors. Dr. Marietta Hartl, Postdoctoral Researcher...
ERS Genomics Limited, which was formed to provide broad access to the foundational CRISPR/Cas9 intellectual property co-owned by Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier, and Cellular Engineering Technologies (CET), a biotechnology company specializing in cell manufacturing and contract research services, have announced a non-exclusive license agreement granting CET access to ERS Genomics’ CRISPR/Cas9 patent portfolio....
For decades, fluorescence microscopy has been an invaluable tool in life sciences research, with new variations and implementations emerging almost every year. Laser scanning microscopy, airyscanning, structured illumination, light field and light sheet microscopy are among the many methods that have been developed through the years to overcome the limitations of the original widefield microscopy setups...
In Gas Chromatography there are three gases that are commonly used as a carrier gas: nitrogen, helium and hydrogen. The importance of carrier gas selection has been a discussion point amongst the users of Gas Chromatography for many years. When selecting the right carrier gas the user has to consider different parameters such as; price, performance, speed, analytical compatibility or just availability....
BioChromato report how their ionRocket sample preparation device, used in combination with Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART®-MS) provides a powerful new method capable of identifying and discriminating between different sources of plastic films used for food processing and packaging. Food wrap film, also known as cling film or plastic wrap, is widely used for food processing and packaging, leading to the risk that plastic might be introduced as a foreign matter into food items...
Was there life on Mars? Amongst the excitement of space missions to the Red Planet, successful landings and the deployment of the Mars Rover, it’s easy to forget that the vital analysis of samples retrieved from the surface will take place here, on our Blue Planet. In preparation for the return of soil samples, the University of Leicester has designed a new double-walled isolator to provide a super-sterile research and analysis environment, protecting the invaluable Martian material from earthly contaminants...
Graphene represents incredible opportunities for advancement in many fields, including medical science. With so much interest in graphene-enabled medical technologies, can 2D materials live up to the hype? Here, Cinzia Spinato, business developer for biomedical applications at the Graphene Flagship discusses the clinical applications of graphene, and why it is on track to fulfil its promises...
Sartorius Stedim Biotech, a leading international partner of the biopharmaceutical industry, has entered into a partnership with McMaster University to improve manufacturing processes of antibody and virus-based treatments for diseases such as COVID-19, cancers, and genetic disorders. Using a state-of-the-art multi-column chromatography system provided by Sartorius Stedim Biotech, the McMaster team will “perfect” a process for the purification of therapeutic viruses...
Agilent Technologies Inc. announces that researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in India and the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia have developed a rapid method for differentiating COVID-19-positive patients expected to show severe symptoms from those likely to experience only mild symptoms. The classification algorithm, published in the journal Analytical Chemistry, is based on infrared spectra of blood plasma, acquired on an Agilent Cary 630 FTIR Spectrometer....
One of the UK’s leading technology educators and innovators CREDERSI have teamed up with Covid testing solutions company DAM Health to create the world’s first virtual reality Covid-19 lab training syllabus. The move is aimed at increasing the number of lab technicians being trained in the UK to meet a mass skills shortage and crisis. Research carried out by the Gatsby Foundation prior to COVID-19 indicated that, by 2030, the UK will require a further 700,000 Lab Technicians...
Life science and drug discovery researchers interested in bioluminescent tools will have the opportunity to hear from global thought leaders on the possibilities and applications of luciferase technologies during the upcoming Discover Glo 2021 virtual seminar series. Hosted by Promega and held September 13-16, the series will advance understanding in important therapeutic areas such as Targeted Protein Degradation and Kinase Biology...
Scientists have teamed with farmers from rural areas of Tanzania to track dozens of herds of cattle using satellite GPS (Global Positioning System) devices, to better understand how diseases can pass from one herd to another. The study – led by the University of Glasgow and published in Scientific Reports – is an important step in understanding how to develop effective strategies for controlling a host of diseases in similar settings....
Accelerated Technology Laboratories, Inc. (ATL), a leader in Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), continues the 2021 LIMS Webcast series on Wednesday, September 15th with Top Ten Reasons Why Your Laboratory Needs a LIMS. This webcast is ideal for organizations seeking guidance as they justify purchasing a LIMS. The highlight of our presentation will be counting down a list of the top ten reasons why a typical testing laboratory should invest in a LIMS....
Are you plagued with poor peak shapes, low sensitivities, sample carry over and/or low recoveries for challenging compounds. Several substances are able to interact with the usual inert column hardware materials such as stainless steel or titanium. The adsorption on metallic surfaces typically leads to peak tailing, loss of recovery and sample carry over. Critical substances are especially metal-coordinating compounds, such as fumonisins, sphingophospholipids or organophosphates in general....
Recent work by a team of researchers at Queen’s University Belfast and University College London has reported on a newly developed strategy for the manufacture of a high drug loaded amorphous solid dispersion (HDASD) using a hot-melt extrusion (HME) based platform. Around 80% of new drug candidates that emerge are classified as poorly soluble...
A Glasgow University spinout specialising in the next generation of green insecticides has secured seed investment of £1.3 million to support ongoing development of its unique nature-inspired pesticides, the first of their kind to be developed worldwide. Established in May 2020 after four years of research funded by UKRI BBSRC and the EC, and commercialisation support from Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Spinout Programme, SOLASTA Bio develops environmentally-friendly products that meet a global need for new and effective crop protection...
Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, and ChromSword, a provider of innovative software products, have collaborated to launch an automated high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) method development system that enables chromatographers to deliver robust and validated methods in less time and with higher confidence...
Solvent evaporation specialists - BioChromato Inc. has published an informative web page that describes how Vacuum Vortex Concentration (VVC) methodology enables users of its Smart Series of Evaporators remove even higher boiling solvents including water, DMSO and DMF quickly and safely. At the heart of each BioChromato Smart Evaporator is a highly efficient spiral airflow created by a special concentrator plug or “Spiral Plug”....
Cresset, innovative provider of outstanding software for molecule discovery and design, is pleased to announce that OncoArendi Therapeutics SA (WSE: OAT), a biotechnology company which specializes in the discovery and development of new drugs, has licensed Flare™ for use in its internal development programs. Cresset software uses its proprietary descriptors of shapes and electrostatics to help chemists understand the key interactions that underpin biological activity...
Autoscribe Informatics has released a new veterinary laboratory case study focusing on the benefits that Matrix Gemini LIMS has bought to Scone Equine Hospital. The LIMS is in daily use in the largest equine veterinary practice in Australia. Explaining why Scone Equine chose Matrix Gemini LIMS the laboratory supervisor said “We ended up deciding on Matrix due to the flexibility that the system offered...
IDEXX has welcomed the publication of a study carried out by the Public Health Laboratory of L'Hospitalet in Barcelona, Spain, which compared the IDEXX Legiolert® test with the standard method for detection and enumeration of Legionella (ISO 11731). Comparing the methods in both potable and non-potable water samples according to the rigorous ISO 17994 protocol, the study found that Legiolert detected more positive results than ISO 11731 and was statistically more sensitive for Legionella pneumophila....