The North West Fund for Biomedical, managed by SPARK Impact, has now invested more than £10million in SMEs across a range of biomedical areas including pharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics
Two recent investments of £125,000 in back therapy device company LumbaCurve and £250,000 in Oxtox, which has developed a drug detection device intended for use by police officers, have seen the fund reach this latest milestone, just two years after its launch in December 2010.Other investments which helped SPARK Impact reach the £10million mark include follow-on funding to four companies; £200,100 to biomedical software firm Compliance Control, £120,000 to urology company Albert Medical Devices, £100,000 to medical device firm Westco Medical Limited and £100,000 to drug discovery spin-out company Onco-NX...
Free breakfast seminar on board at each stop to showcase scientific technologies for a wide variety of applications in Europe
AB SCIEX, Phenomenex and Peak Scientific today announced the start of the 2013 tour of the European MASStastic Voyage, featuring a state-of-the-art mobile laboratory traveling across Europe. This lab-on-wheels will provide “open house” opportunities for anyone interested in using mass spectrometry and separation science to solve analytical challenges. Kicking off next week in Holland, the tour will now include a free breakfast seminar on board the mobile lab at each stop in over 20 European cities...
Read MoreBusiness as usual for Markes International as Schauenburg International acquires a majority shareJan 22, 2013
Markes International has announced that Schauenburg International Group has acquired the majority of its shares
This step was taken to enhance the next stage of the company’s growth and help assure the long-term future of Markes as an independent company. At the same time it strengthens Schauenburg’s position in the air monitoring field and strategically positions the group to take advantage of a high growth sector of the analytical instrument business...
Read MoreuBiome completes worldJan 21, 2013
Biotech startup first in the world to offer metagenomic sequencing to the public
uBiome, the first citizen science effort to map the human microbiome, is the world’s largest successful citizen science crowdfunding campaign in history. Raising over $120,000 from over 1,000 participants, they have significantly exceeded their $100,000 goal. The biotech startup from the University of California, San Francisco branch of the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3) has sparked the era of microbiome-based personalized medicine -- engaging with the public to provide easily accessible information about their own bodies using the latest in high-throughput DNA sequencing technology...
Read MoreOGT to hold live webinar on NGS and data analysis strategies for cancer researchJan 21, 2013
Optimising next generation DNA and RNA sequencing studies
Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), provider of innovative genetics research and biomarker solutions to advance molecular medicine will hold a live webinar entitled ‘Effective cancer sequencing and analysis strategies’ on Thursday 31st January 2013 at 3:00pm (GMT). Dr Simon Hughes, Team Leader Cancer R&D, OGT and Dr Daniel Swan, Senior NGS Computational Biologist, OGT will discuss next generation DNA and RNA sequencing for cancer research studies including choosing the best sequencing strategy, experimental design for targeted resequencing, types of samples, and the use of OGT’s NGS browser for the effective and rapid identification of genetic aberrations such as copy number variation, loss of heterozygosity and splice variants...
Read MoreWorldJan 17, 2013
A WORLD’S FIRST education and research initiative announced today will see the UK spearhead a collaborative global search for more ethical, human-relevant alternatives to animal testing
The UK’s leading humane medical research charity, the Dr Hadwen Trust (DHT), and Queen Mary, University of London, have joined forces to lead the global development of human-relevant methods and alternatives to animal use in diverse areas of bio-medical research. The Dr Hadwen Trust is to fund the first Professorial Chair in animal replacement science thanks to a £1 million legacy left to the DHT specifically for this purpose by lifelong supporter Alan Stross...
Read MoreAstraZeneca, BT, Capita and Pfizer sign up as Expo partners to EuropeJan 16, 2013
The event, featuring a number of high profile keynote speakers including the CE NHS England and CE of NHS Commissioning Board Sir David Nicholson, Ministers, Professor Malcolm Grant and Baroness Tani Grey-Thomson will showcase what is brightest and best about the NHS, alongside game-changing ideas, processes and technologies that can improve patient outcomes and value for money
The first four Healthcare Innovation Expo partners were announced today – AstraZeneca, BT, Capita and Pfizer. The Healthcare Innovation Expo 2013 is the largest and most exciting showpiece of its kind in Europe and a key element in the NHS’ drive to transform health care services...
The Anti-Doping Control Laboratory at Barcelona’s Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM) is a world-recognized facility performing dope testing of athletes and animals for national and international sporting events, and was an early adopter of LGC Standards LoGiCal range of reference materials
Immaculada Figuera, a chemist in the laboratory, explained: “We test around 4,000 human and animal samples a year from sporting events around the world, screening urine, blood and serum samples for controlled substances. We perform a wide range of gas and liquid chromatography-based protocols, and use LoGiCal reference standards for both qualitative and quantitative analyses.”...
Read MoreAre You Confident in Your Autoclave / Sterilisation Process?Jan 16, 2013
In using a sterilisation process from an autoclave on the lab bench, dentist, pharmacy, vet, tattooist etc. or another process like radiation, ethylene oxide, dry heat or hydrogen peroxide during manufacture or waste treatment there is one thing in common. You need to know that the process works efficiently. What is the best way for you? Is a Bowie and Dick test enough?
Sterilisation and autoclaving is such an important factor for many industries or laboratories. Whether for regulation or plain old piece of mind the effectiveness of these process in all of these industries should be monitored. Common validation methods like the Bowie and Dick tests and chemical indicators (colour changing dots/stickers) simply indicate that the autoclave or steriliser has actually done the job it has been built to do. They do NOT prove that the job has been effective at killing particular bacterial cultures / spores...
Rapid technological advances will highlight the need for skilled technicians and physicians
In addition to oncology and cardiology, the next big field of clinical application for molecular imaging will be neurology. This expanding user base is expected to boost revenues for the European molecular imaging market. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, European Molecular Imaging Markets, finds that the markets earned revenues of $276.0 million in 2011 and estimates this to reach $388.4 million in 2018. The research covers positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and planar segments...
Read MoreNew GC/TOF-related website offers analytical chemists a wealth of informationJan 15, 2013
ALMSCO International (Llantrisant, UK) has launched a new website focusing on BenchTOF-dx, its time-of-flight mass spectrometer for GC, providing the analytical chemistry community with a valuable online resource
Linkam Scientific Instruments have been chosen as suppliers of a TST350 stage for the Complex Fluids and Polymer Engineering Division, National Chemical Laboratory, India to study the mechanical properties of dimethyl dibenzylidene sorbitol (DMDBS)
Polypropylene (PP) is a common, commercial engineering plastic that is tough, flexible and can be manufactured via extrusion film casting (EFC). It is highly versatile and can be tailored to specific applications during manufacture. Despite this, how synthesis and processing affect the physical properties of the material is unclear. As a result, scientists are continuing to study this popular material. Most commercial PP is isotactic with all methyl groups orientated on the same side of the backbone of the polymer chain. This orientation of the methyl groups within the polymer relative to each other directly influences the ability of the polymer to form crystals....
Read MoreXEI Scientific reports on how RJ Lee Group has applied Evactron plasma technology for specimen cleaningJan 15, 2013
XEI Scientific Inc, maker of the popular EVACTRON® De-Contaminator™ Plasma Cleaning System for electron microscopes and other vacuum chambers, reports on how leading contract materials characterization laboratory, RJ Lee Group, Inc., have used an Evactron® specimen cleaning chamber to clean samples ahead of analysis in electron microscopes
RJ Lee Group, Inc. is a materials characterization laboratory and industrial forensics consulting firm employing more than 300 scientists, engineers, technicians and support staff at locations in multiple locations across the USA. The firm specializes in scientific support of four areas of interest: analytical laboratory testing, industrial forensics consultation and support, litigation support, and systems reliability tools for engine health....
Read MoreBeckman Coulter Life Sciences Features Genomic, Cellular Solutions at SLAS2013Jan 14, 2013
Workshops, Exhibit Complemented by Biomek 4000 Workstation Grant Contest
Bringing together genomic and cellular sample preparation with integrated solutions to highlight their Automation with a Human Touch theme, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences will offer two workshops and present workstations addressing a range of applications in booth 921 when SLAS2013 convenes in Orlando, Florida, USA, from January 12-16...
Autoscribe provides a unique ‘future proofing’ product support service for its Matrix family of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
The Matrix product line has been developed to specifically ensure backwards compatibility and easy upgrades for existing customers, meaning that if customers take out a support and maintenance contract they are getting a ‘LIMS for life’ – there are no hidden additional costs for major upgrades. Many Matrix users have migrated successfully through successive generations of the software and enjoy all the benefits of the latest version, yet can still access information that was entered in earlier versions. Some customers have migrated through 5 generations of Matrix over a period of 20 years....
The Drummond Nanoject II Auto-Injector is now available from Alpha Laboratories
Specifically designed to perform ultra-delicate nanolitre injection procedures into cells, including oocytes and embryos. Positive displacement technology and precision microcapillaries together with new features enhance the ease of use, precise delivery of sample and protection of cells...
Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB), a leading international pharmaceutical and biotech supplier, has entered into a global sales partnership with Umetrics AB, a Swedish software manufacturer. Umetrics is a highly specialized, leading provider of chemometrics software worldwide for modeling and optimizing biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing processes
The cooperation agreement provides that SSB will assume global marketing and distribution of the complete Umetrics portfolio for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. SSB will integrate Umetrics software programs as private label products into its own bioprocess portfolio and market these as stand-alone solutions under both brands under a dual branding arrangement...
Read MoreWorldJan 11, 2013
Redd&Whyte Preddator System Achieves Validated CVs of less than 1%
Redd&Whyte, an expert supplier of liquid handling automation for drug discovery and life science research applications today announced it is showing its Preddator liquid handling system for dispensing even difficult to pipette liquids into microplates on Booth #231 at the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) 2013 Conference in Orlando, USA. The system, which features unique dispense head technology, achieves less than 1 % CVs at nanolitre volumes, ensuring scientists can save time and reagent costs by generating consistent low-volume microplate assay results time after time...
Read MoreBioTek Presents Multi-Functional Microplate Technologies and Debuts New Corporate Identity at SLAS 2013Jan 10, 2013
Join Diamond level sponsor BioTek Instruments at the upcoming SLAS 2013 Conference and Exhibition to see how their smart microplate technologies can simplify workflows. The exhibition will be held January 12-16, 2013 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida
BioTek will once again participate in the interactive forum, Late Night with LRIG, to be held Monday, January 14, from 7-9PM in the Orange Blossom Ballroom of the same convention center. At the forum, BioTek's Caleb Foster will present, "405™ Touch and 405 LS Microplate Washers with Verify™ Technology." Additionally, the exhibitor presentation, "Synergy NEO, New Patented Hybrid HTS Plate Reader Combines Increased Sensitivity and Flexibility" is scheduled for Monday...
Thermo Fisher Scientific is pleased to announce a customer case study on the effective adoption of upgraded gas chromatography (GC) technology into an existing workflow with improved results and minimal effort
Dr. Dietrich Hilke, Head of Laboratory, Sanofi-Aventis, Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt, and his team participated in the planning, testing, and evaluation of a new GC platform. Dr. Hilke’s laboratory analyzes 500 to 700 sample batches per year in a regulated environment for quality control of excipients, drug substances, and drug products. The team was able to directly transfer existing methods to the new GC system thus saving large amounts of time and effort....
Read MoreDistinguished Young Rheologist Award Announced By TA InstrumentsJan 10, 2013
TA Instruments has presented the Distinguished Young Rheologist Award to two scientists: Dr. Anson W. K. Ma, of the University of Connecticut, and Dr. Ali Mohraz, of the University of California, Irvine
The Award cited Dr. Ma’s current work on interfacial rheology of nanoparticle-laden interfaces for stabilizing emulsions, and flow dynamics of nanoparticles in simulated blood flows for cancer treatment. Professor Ma is also a recent recipient of an NSF EAGER award, given for those projects that explore potentially “transformative” ideas or approaches.” Dr. Mohraz was recognized for his outstanding contributions regarding the rheology of colloidal dispersions, including the flow behavior of anisometric particles, the non-linear rheology of colloidal gels, and the structure and dynamics of polymer/colloid gels...
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The two businesses will work together to prepare ICT2588 - Incanthera’s revolutionary treatment for solid tumours - for clinical trials. Merseyside-based company Incanthera has developed a groundbreaking ‘smart bomb’ treatment which targets solid tumour cells directly using a unique molecule that allows highly toxic drugs to attack tumours with the potential of virtually no side effects to the rest of the body.
AB SCIEX, Phenomenex and Peak Scientific today announced the start of the 2013 tour of the European MASStastic Voyage, featuring a state-of-the-art mobile laboratory traveling across Europe. This lab-on-wheels will provide “open house” opportunities for anyone interested in using mass spectrometry and separation science to solve analytical challenges. Kicking off next week in Holland, the tour will now include a free breakfast seminar on board the mobile lab at each stop in over 20 European cities...
This step was taken to enhance the next stage of the company’s growth and help assure the long-term future of Markes as an independent company. At the same time it strengthens Schauenburg’s position in the air monitoring field and strategically positions the group to take advantage of a high growth sector of the analytical instrument business...
uBiome, the first citizen science effort to map the human microbiome, is the world’s largest successful citizen science crowdfunding campaign in history. Raising over $120,000 from over 1,000 participants, they have significantly exceeded their $100,000 goal. The biotech startup from the University of California, San Francisco branch of the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3) has sparked the era of microbiome-based personalized medicine -- engaging with the public to provide easily accessible information about their own bodies using the latest in high-throughput DNA sequencing technology...
The UK’s leading humane medical research charity, the Dr Hadwen Trust (DHT), and Queen Mary, University of London, have joined forces to lead the global development of human-relevant methods and alternatives to animal use in diverse areas of bio-medical research. The Dr Hadwen Trust is to fund the first Professorial Chair in animal replacement science thanks to a £1 million legacy left to the DHT specifically for this purpose by lifelong supporter Alan Stross...
The first four Healthcare Innovation Expo partners were announced today – AstraZeneca, BT, Capita and Pfizer. The Healthcare Innovation Expo 2013 is the largest and most exciting showpiece of its kind in Europe and a key element in the NHS’ drive to transform health care services...
Sterilisation and autoclaving is such an important factor for many industries or laboratories. Whether for regulation or plain old piece of mind the effectiveness of these process in all of these industries should be monitored. Common validation methods like the Bowie and Dick tests and chemical indicators (colour changing dots/stickers) simply indicate that the autoclave or steriliser has actually done the job it has been built to do. They do NOT prove that the job has been effective at killing particular bacterial cultures / spores...
In addition to oncology and cardiology, the next big field of clinical application for molecular imaging will be neurology. This expanding user base is expected to boost revenues for the European molecular imaging market. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, European Molecular Imaging Markets, finds that the markets earned revenues of $276.0 million in 2011 and estimates this to reach $388.4 million in 2018. The research covers positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and planar segments...
Designed to offer easy navigation, the new site enables visitors to gain much faster access to a wealth of information on the company’s innovative products, applications, technical notes, scientific posters and video tutorials. It describes how BenchTOF-dx, brings together a unique combination of break-through features that deliver high-definition mass spectrometry and outstanding performance with every GC application...
RJ Lee Group, Inc. is a materials characterization laboratory and industrial forensics consulting firm employing more than 300 scientists, engineers, technicians and support staff at locations in multiple locations across the USA. The firm specializes in scientific support of four areas of interest: analytical laboratory testing, industrial forensics consultation and support, litigation support, and systems reliability tools for engine health....
Bringing together genomic and cellular sample preparation with integrated solutions to highlight their Automation with a Human Touch theme, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences will offer two workshops and present workstations addressing a range of applications in booth 921 when SLAS2013 convenes in Orlando, Florida, USA, from January 12-16...
The Matrix product line has been developed to specifically ensure backwards compatibility and easy upgrades for existing customers, meaning that if customers take out a support and maintenance contract they are getting a ‘LIMS for life’ – there are no hidden additional costs for major upgrades. Many Matrix users have migrated successfully through successive generations of the software and enjoy all the benefits of the latest version, yet can still access information that was entered in earlier versions. Some customers have migrated through 5 generations of Matrix over a period of 20 years....
The cooperation agreement provides that SSB will assume global marketing and distribution of the complete Umetrics portfolio for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. SSB will integrate Umetrics software programs as private label products into its own bioprocess portfolio and market these as stand-alone solutions under both brands under a dual branding arrangement...
BioTek will once again participate in the interactive forum, Late Night with LRIG, to be held Monday, January 14, from 7-9PM in the Orange Blossom Ballroom of the same convention center. At the forum, BioTek's Caleb Foster will present, "405™ Touch and 405 LS Microplate Washers with Verify™ Technology." Additionally, the exhibitor presentation, "Synergy NEO, New Patented Hybrid HTS Plate Reader Combines Increased Sensitivity and Flexibility" is scheduled for Monday...
Dr. Dietrich Hilke, Head of Laboratory, Sanofi-Aventis, Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt, and his team participated in the planning, testing, and evaluation of a new GC platform. Dr. Hilke’s laboratory analyzes 500 to 700 sample batches per year in a regulated environment for quality control of excipients, drug substances, and drug products. The team was able to directly transfer existing methods to the new GC system thus saving large amounts of time and effort....
The Award cited Dr. Ma’s current work on interfacial rheology of nanoparticle-laden interfaces for stabilizing emulsions, and flow dynamics of nanoparticles in simulated blood flows for cancer treatment. Professor Ma is also a recent recipient of an NSF EAGER award, given for those projects that explore potentially “transformative” ideas or approaches.” Dr. Mohraz was recognized for his outstanding contributions regarding the rheology of colloidal dispersions, including the flow behavior of anisometric particles, the non-linear rheology of colloidal gels, and the structure and dynamics of polymer/colloid gels...