New Products

Analyzer Technologies

The two Spectro products that are inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technologies have seen dramatic improvements in recent years. Spectro flagship instruments showcase the advances that this field has seen with the Spectro Arcos ICP-OES analyzer and the Spectro XEPOS ED-XRF analyzer. Spectro Arcos high-resolution ICP-OES analyzer represents the pinnacle of productivity and performance as the first and only spectrometer featuring the fast, convenient selection of axial plasma or radial plasma observation in a single instrument — without any optical compromise. The analyzer delivers dramatically improved sensitivity, stability, and precision — at lower operating costs. Spectro Xepos ED-XRF spectrometer represents a quantum leap in ED-XRF technology, providing breakthrough advances in the multi-elemental analysis of major, minor, and trace element concentrations. New developments in detection deliver quality sensitivity and detection limits and gains in precision and accuracy. http://icp-oes.spectro.com/new-analyzer-software

Advanced Cells-to-CT Kits

New Invitrogen Fast Advanced Cells-to-CT kits offer researchers the ability to skip RNA purification entirely by going straight from cultured cell samples to measuring relative gene expression by real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR). And for flexibility, Cells-to-CT kits are available in both TaqMan and SYBR Green formats. These kits provide a complete workflow for RT-qPCR analysis directly from cultured cells without RNA purification. Featuring a unique method for lysing cultured cells while removing genomic DNA (gDNA) and preserving RNA integrity, the kits contain reverse transcription (RT) reagents for cDNA synthesis and either TaqMan or SYBR Green master mixes for real-time PCR analysis. The new TaqMan Fast Advanced Cells-to-CT Kit utilizes an improved reverse transcriptase enzyme that is more sensitive to detect abundant or rare transcripts. This makes it possible to perform expression analysis directly from cultured cells without RNA purification. The new SYBR Green Fast Advanced Cells-to-CT Kit is a fast, easy, and robust method to go directly from cultured cells to real-time PCR results. The kit is powered by Applied Biosystems AmpliTaq Gold DNA Polymerase, LD (Low DNA), which provides the highest levels of specificity with standard real-time PCR. The Cells-to-CT Stop Solution allows for greater sample input in the downstream RT and qPCR reactions, greatly increasing the sensitivity for detecting rare targets. Both TaqMan and SYBR Green Fast Advanced Cells-to-CT Kits use the Stop Solution, providing excellent sensitivity with a very fast workflow. These kits are approximately 48 times faster than most high-throughput RNA purification kits. Fast Advanced Cellsto-CT kits can process 96 or 384 wells at once; the experimental workflow only takes about 10 minutes for a 96- or 384-well plate. Products from other suppliers use low pH and dilution in their workflows, which restricts how much cell lysate can be used in downstream steps. www.thermofisher.com

Pinch Valves

Emerson is expanding its ASCO Series 045 solenoid pinch valves to include a new 3-way format with one of the broadest offerings of fluid-handling and control products for the clinical diagnostic market. Previously, the series included only 2-way normally-closed (NC) and normally-open (NO) options. The ASCO Series 045 2-way and 3-way valves effectively control the flow of aggressive, high-purity fluids in clinical diagnostic technologies and bioinstrumentation, including hematology platforms. Valve design feature hermetic separation of the control mechanism and fluid—preventing particulate contamination and ensuring sample and reagent purity. The series comes in a variety of body sizes, meets all relevant CE directives and is RoHS compliant. Emerson will showcase its ASCO Series 045 solenoid pinch valves and other fluid-handling components, including miniature liquid isolation, proportional and general service valves, fittings, manifolds, tubing and pressure regulators, at the upcoming 70th AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo. http://www.emerson.com/en-us/automation/asco

refrigeration units

Thermo Scientific releases the TSG Series powered by Phononic solid-state refrigeration technology. It has been designed to meet the challenging needs of health care, research and industrial applications where solid performance is required, in support of breastmilk and medication storage, analyzer kits and reagents, and even cell culture media. The TSG Series brings cutting-edge innovation into refrigeration by incorporating solid-state technology in place of traditional refrigeration methods. They have increased storage space and use less energy outputting almost no heat into the work environment. The refrigerators are available in two sizes that have been designed for under the counter and the countertop. Model specific features: • Remote alarm contacts on TSG505, supporting requirements of research for monitoring • Datalogging and download capability on TSG205 via USB port to support clinical record management requirements Warranty for both products is 5 years on the solid state refrigeration system and 2 years parts and labor

Key features of both models: • Solid state refrigeration technology • Whisper quiet operation • Energy Star rated performance meaning lower operating costs • Green refrigerants supporting global initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions • Full alarm set, including hi/lo temperature, door ajar and power fail to support requirements for medical storage www.thermofisher.com

new Products

next-generation Sequencing Assay

Thermo Fisher Scientific launches its Oncomine TCR Beta-SR Assay, a new nextgeneration sequencing (NGS) solution for immuno-oncology research designed to characterize T-cell clonality in the tumour microenvironment – a key approach to identify potential biomarkers associated with immune response. The Oncomine TCR Beta-SR Assay is designed to specifically interrogate the CDR3 region of the beta chain of the T-cell receptor, a region that is responsible for antigen recognition and important in uniquely identifying T-cell clones. The assay’s utilization of dual barcode indexing also enables identification of low-frequency clones which has the potential for tracking minimal residual disease. Interrogation of data obtained with the Oncomine TCR Beta-SR Assay (SR = Short Read) is optimized for formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples. One of the features that makes the Oncomine TCR Beta-SR Assay unique is its flexibility in design for translational researchers to use either DNA or RNA input without interference from primer bias while returning results within 48 hours on the Ion GeneStudio S5 Series instruments and Ion Torrent analysis solutions. When coupled with the Oncomine TCR Beta-LR Assay (LR = Long Read), researchers can achieve a comprehensive range of TCR beta sequencing applications, including TRBV allele typing, clonality association to immune response and engineered T-cell monitoring. www.thermofisher.com

Genetic Testing Kit for Thalassemias

Alpha and beta-thalassemia are severe forms of anemia. Alpha-thalassemia is most often caused by deletions in one or both HBA genes, while the major cause of beta-thalassemia is single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the HBB gene. There are many advantages to this test, which includes: • One simple assay for all thalassemia genetic testing needs • Single tube NGS analysis of mutations causing both alpha and betathalassemia • Detects both SNVs and deletions in the HBA1, HBA2 and HBB genes • Simple, fast and robust NGS workflow – NGS has never been easier • Optimized data analysis software Devyser Thalassemia detects all mutations in HBA1, HBA2 and HBB including SNVs, Indels and CNVs. It is optimized to be used for both large scale mutation screening and advanced second level genetic testing. The fast, simple and robust NGS workflow replaces time consuming multi-step protocols and the need for maintaining several different assays in your lab. Devyser’s proprietary PCR chemistry provides complete and uniform coverage of the targeted regions. It also enables a high level of overlapping amplicon multiplexing, which results in a unique NGS library preparation process with no sample splitting. This simplifies the workflow, reduces the risk of contamination and minimizes the potential for sample mix-up. www.devyser.com

Liquid Biopsy Solution

Exosomics Siena has launched its first proprietary liquid biopsy solutions, SeleCTEV-DNA and SortEV-RNA, that are both designed to aid selective isolation of tumour-derived nucleic acids from complex biofluids such as plasma or serum. Unlike most liquid biopsy methods where total nucleic acids are harvested from blood this technology is based on the isolation and enrichment of tumour-derived exosomes. The new kits use unique affinity methods to select exosomes from which the DNA or RNA can be extracted. Additionally, the SeleCTEV-DNA kit can be used to isolate circulating cell-free DNA in addition to DNA borne by exosomes. The kit is designed to isolate in one step tumour-originated EVs and exosomes from complex biofluids. It includes an optimized extraction kit for the co-isolation of cell free and EV-DNA. The line features different versions of the isolation kit, including a wide range of sample volumes (from 0.5 to 7 ml) and extraction kit for cf- and EV-DNA. No time-consuming ultracenrifugation step needed, turn-around time is < 3 hr. www.exosomics.it

Genetic Polymorphisms Detection Kit

Medical and Biological Laboratories launches the MEBRIGHT NUDT15 kit for detecting genetic polymorphisms in the NUDT15 (Nudix Hydrolase 15) gene, which can predict serious side effects of thiopurine drugs. Thiopurine drugs are often prescribed to patients with inflammatory bowel disease, leukemia, rheumatic disease, or after an organ transplant, but clinical studies have shown that the drugs can induce adverse effects such as severe leukopenia and alopecia universalis within about eight weeks. A strong correlation has also been demonstrated between the development of serious adverse effects of thiopurine drugs and polymorphism in NUDT15. Using real-time PCR, the kit detects polymorphisms at codon 139 of NUDT15 in DNA from a patient’s blood. The kit requires a processing time of two hours and simultaneously measures multiple samples. The kit was co-developed with Tohoku University, and was approved as an in vitro diagnostic test by Japan’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Agency in April. http://www.mbl.co.jp/e/

evaporator

Genevac HT series evaporators are the ideal solution for parallel evaporation bottlenecks in high throughput and production laboratories having high performance and high sample capacities. The all new Series 3 HT evaporator range from Genevac represents the ultimate in solvent removal technology. They incorporate a new high-performance vacuum pump, the latest touchscreen technology and a sleek ergonomic design that will make the evaporation process effortless. New intuitive touchscreen controls enhance monitoring and review of the whole evaporation process. For popular solvent removal protocols pre-set “Press & Go” methods makes operation easy and productive even for occasional users. Simplified manual and automatic programming means even the most complex multi-stage evaporation methods can be set-up and run quickly and easily. The Series 3 HT evaporator range comes with patented temperature control and bumping prevention built in. www.genevac.com