[AUTOMATION]
Inventory Management System
Facilitates ordering of lab products
The Macs Pick-Up Point from Miltenyi Biotec, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, aims to provide a convenient and efficient logistics solution for ordering, delivery, purchase, and invoicing of the company’s Macs reagent products. Composed of an intelligent refrigerator with temperatures of 2–8°C, the automatic inventory management system is set up directly in the lab. To remove a product from stock, authorized users use a personalized access card, which is provided with a unique card number and has the name, department, and cost center number for invoicing purposes saved on it invisibly. Information on the current stock level of the products is accessible to the customer 24/7 on a Web portal, and products are automatically sent out, free of charge, to replenish inventory levels. Invoicing occurs automatically every 2 weeks; the customer is invoiced for the consumed reagents, and a detailed list of the products taken is attached.
Miltenyi Biotec
(617) 218-0030; www.miltenyibiotec.com
Recapping System
Decaps 96 tubes with a single action
The Univo screw cap recapper SR096 from Micronic, Lelystad, The Netherlands, offers users the ability to cap, decap, or recap 96 screw-cap tubes with a single action. Designed for easy installation and operation, the system decaps screw caps from a full 96-tube storage rack in less than 30 seconds. Through the graphical touchscreen interface, the operator is able to select any rack to cap, decap, or recap without using adapters for different tube sizes. The system uses a precisely determined torque value for optimal sealing quality, thereby minimizing sample evaporation and maximizing sample integrity. Compatible with Micronic screw caps and screw-cap tubes, as well as caps from other brands, the system can be used as a standalone instrument or integrated into a fully automated laboratory environment. The device features Ethernet connectivity and an optional sensor for verifying that all caps have been removed.
Micronic America
(484) 480-3372; www.micronic.com
[COMPUTERS]
Centralized Data Management System
Houses molecular module
ImmuLink from Immucor Inc, Norcross, Ga, is a centralized data management system that supports greater testing efficiency and safety within transfusion medicine. FDA-cleared ImmuLink version 1.7 includes a molecular module that helps users manage the workflow associated with running Immucor’s PreciseType human erythrocyte antigen (HEA) test, reducing manual data entry and significantly increasing the number of tests a lab may perform and report. Enhancements include an antigen transfer interface to eliminate manual entry of antigen results into a laboratory information system; barcode capability to assist with sample tracking during DNA extraction on the QiaCube from Qiagen, Hilden, Germany; and a molecular driver to help users set up PreciseType HEA. The software now aggregates all serology and molecular in vitro diagnostic test results from the company’s Echo, NEO, and PreciseType platforms. The software generates a single report with a complete donor or patient testing history.
Immucor
(855) 466-8267; www.immucor.com
Informatics Suite
Provides preconfigured workflows
Illumina Inc, San Diego, recently launched the BaseSpace suite, which includes genomics software tools to facilitate precision medicine and genomics research. The integrated informatics system enables users to engage with a comprehensive platform, offering laboratory information management, analysis and sharing, sample interpretation, reporting, and advanced cohort analytics. The system is built to be cloud-ready, providing a secure, scalable solution, simplifying data storage issues, and providing a collaborative environment. It provides preconfigured workflows and analysis pipelines to help users get started, and can be custom configured for use with individualized workflows and analysis pipelines. For laboratories that would like implementation support, Illumina provides professional services for bioinformatics to help set up and scale the software solution in any sized lab.
Illumina
(858) 202-4500; www.illumina.com
[EQUIPMENT]
Ductless Fume Hood
Protects against hazardous substances
The Purair Advanced P20 ductless fume hood from Air Science, Fort Myers, Fla, provides operator protection when using hazardous substances. All mechanisms in the unit’s head section are on the clean side of the filter, thus preventing contamination. Switches and electrical components are isolated from dirty airflow and away from any contamination. An alarm alerts the operator when the airflow falls to an unacceptable level, and the work area has a removable spillage tray. Optional integral lighting is available. The unit measures 49 inches x 27.5 inches x 47.5 inches. Other sizes are available up to 96 inches wide. The main filter can be chosen from 14 different types of carbon, including specialty media for vapors of acids, formaldehyde, organics, mercury, and solvents. High-efficiency particulate arrestance filters for particulate filtration are also available. In addition, the Purair can be equipped with a secondary back-up filter for added protection.
Air Science USA
(800) 306-0656; www.airscience.com
Dual Entry Hood
Maintains a uniform airflow
The UniFlow SE dual entry hood from Hemco Corp, Independence, Mo, features safety glass sashes in the front and rear to provide observers with a clear view and easy access to procedures. The unit’s material consists of chemical- and corrosion-resistant, flame-retardant, nonmetallic, lightweight composite fiber reinforced with polyester resin. With a picture-frame opening that angles air smoothly into the sash opening, the hood is equipped with horizontal-sliding clear safety-tempered glass panels on the front and rear. Directly below the sash, a composite polyresin airfoil directs air across the work surface and maintains a uniform airflow. Options include service fixtures, plumbing and electrical functionality, airflow monitor, work surface, and base cabinet. Hoods are available in 4-, 5-, 6- and 8-foot widths, and depths of 30, 36, or 48 inches.
Hemco
(800) 779-4362; www.hemcocorp.com
[MISC SUPPLIES]
Liquefaction Reagent
Enables pathogen detection
The Liquillizer from Miacom Diagnostics, Düsseldorf, Germany, was recently granted a patent in the United States. Enabling immediate liquefaction of tracheal secretions, bronchial secretions, bronchial washes, and viscous sputum samples, the stable, highly active liquefaction reagent enables pathogen detection and characterization directly from specimens. Dithiothreitol-free and odorless, the reagent is supplied as a ready-to-use 250 ml solution. It can be used for up to 4 weeks after opening, and will liquefy up to 100 samples without a loss of activity.
Miacom Diagnostics
(919) 808-2230; www.miacom-diagnostics.com
RNA Panels
Support gene expression profiling
Qiagen, Hilden, Germany, has introduced more than 170 new QiaSeq targeted RNA panels for gene expression profiling, expanding the company’s portfolio of sample-to-insight solutions for next-generation sequencing (NGS). The panels enable researchers to select from more than 20,000 human genes and long noncoding RNA transcripts (lncRNAs) to survey expression fold changes and discover interactions among genes, cellular phenotypes, and disease processes. Using innovative molecular barcode technology and built-in control assays, the panels enable efficient RNA sequencing using any NGS system. Data analysis and insights are integrated with comprehensive analysis modules that require no bioinformatics expertise.?The panels cover an extensive range of disease- and signaling pathway-focused genes, with each panel targeting 100 to 500 genes. The content is based on the latest recommendations from relevant medical and scientific literature. Panels can also be customized to include other genes of clinical and biological interest, with flexibility to analyze from 12 to 1,000 genes simultaneously.
Qiagen
(800) 426-8157; www.qiagen.com
Plastic Nesting Totes
Available in nine sizes
Akro-Mils, Akron, Ohio, has expanded its line of plastic Nest & Stack totes with the addition of new clear totes and lids. Available in nine sizes, the units are suited for storage, transfer, and shipping applications. The totes stack with or without optional lids and nest when empty to conserve space. High-density, industrial-grade polymers are designed to maintain shape even when fully loaded. In addition to the new clear option, totes are available in red, blue, and gray.
Akro-Mils
(800) 253-2467; www.akro-mils.com
Certified Reference Materials
Developed for antiretroviral therapy
MilliporeSigma, St Louis, the life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has introduced seven certified spiking solutions for antiviral and antiretroviral drugs to its line of certified reference materials (CRMs). ?In the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of antiretroviral agents is often recommended in order to achieve optimal drug concentrations for viral suppression, to monitor adherence, and to minimize drug-associated toxicity. ?The new product line includes solution-based CRMs of acyclovir, efavirenz, ganciclovir, lamivudine, nevirapine, ritonavir, and zidovudine. ?Cerilliant certified reference materials are manufactured for quantitative mass spectrometry-based applications in TDM, diagnostic testing, endocrinology, and pharmaceutical research.
MilliporeSigma
(800) 645-5476; www.emdmillipore.com
[TESTING/DIAGNOSTICS]
Sample Preparation Upgrade
Installed remotely
Cynvenio Biosystems Inc, Westlake Village, Calif, has launched the Concordia cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sample preparation upgrade for its multitemplate LiquidBiopsy platform. When coupled with Ion Torrent next-generation sequencing systems from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, Mass, Cynvenio’s workflow provides comprehensive molecular characterization of tumor-cell DNA for cancer research samples from a standard blood draw. The Concordia option, which consists of a hardware module and a software upgrade installed remotely, is now available to early access customers through the company’s partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific. The cfDNA upgrade enables users to purify DNA from whole blood using Thermo Fisher’s Applied Biosystems MagMax cell-free DNA isolation kit, an integrated system designed to simplify, standardize, and accelerate preparation of samples derived from various sources for downstream molecular analysis.
Cynvenio
(805) 777-0017; www.cynvenio.com
AQP4Ab ELISA Test Kit
For the determination of autoantibodies to aquaporin-4
Kronus, Star, Idaho, offers the Aquaporin-4 Autoantibody (AQP4Ab) ELISA assay, designed for the accurate determination of autoantibodies to aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in human serum. The AQP4Ab ELISA assay may be useful as an aid in the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. The AQP4Ab ELISA assay is not to be used alone, and is to be used in conjunction with other clinical, laboratory, and radiological (e.g., MRI) findings. For prescription in vitro diagnostic use only.
Kronus
(800) 457-6687; www.kronus.com
