New Products

Hazardous fume prevention

Scientists, chemical hygienists and researchers who work with highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and similar liquid-based technologies will require reliable protection against harmful chemical vapours in the laboratory. This can be done with VapLock Closed Systems for solvent delivery and waste containment. They safeguard technicians and the environment and help maintain compliance with government safety regulations and laboratory best practices. The systems also regulate solvent extraction, maintain pressure equilibrium and control evaporation of the mobile phase, facilitating more repeatable analytical results. Critical analytical instruments, such as HPLC, commonly use organic solvents. Reagent and collection vessels are often left open or ineffectively closed with films and aluminum foil, venting potentially toxic vapours to the atmosphere. These systems offer a mechanical means to reduce exposure to volatile organic fumes and hazardous waste solvents. They are modular and versatile, with a full range of available options to adapt to most any equipment setup, including a variety of materials for chemical compatibility and multiple port connections and bottle cap sizes. www.coleparmer.com/

High-resolution imaging

Under development since 2007, patented since 2010, and released to the market in 2017, Fluid Imaging Technologies introduces the newest member of the FlowCam family, the FlowCam Nano. Using oil-immersion flow microscopy, Nano-Flow Imaging delivers high-resolution images of nanoparticles in your liquid samples. FlowCam Nano from Fluid Imaging Technologies automatically reveals protein agglomerates, silicon oil droplets, glass shards and other opaque, transparent and translucent sub-visible particles with the highresolution imagery needed for identification. The instrumentation provides digital images of particles ranging in size from 300 nm to 30 µm. Ideal for analytical scientists, biochemists, formulation scientists, lab managers and other biopharmaceutical professionals. The particle analyzer was developed to find, expose and identify nanoparticles in protein formulations and help track the progression of protein agglomerates from individual, proteinaceous particles into the larger aggregates that pose a threat to the safety, efficacy, stability, and longevity of parenteral bioformulations. In addition, it may serve as a valuable companion to USP<788> compliance testing methods for particulate matter by documenting the presence and type of nanoscale particles, which may cause failed test results. www.fluidimaging.com

Human immune monitoring panel kit

Fluidigm has launched the Maxpar Human Immune Monitoring Panel Kit for comprehensive immune cell profiling in cancer and immunemediated diseases. Designed for use with the company’s Helios CyTOF mass cytometry system, the new kit contains 29 metal-labeled antibodies and reagents designed and optimized for deep immune profiling of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a single tube. The panel biomarkers were selected in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions, and are optimized for routine high-parameter immune profiling. Multiple third-party data-analysis options are available to analyze results from the panel, including Cytobank and GemStone software. Verity Software House is providing free access to an enhanced version of GemStone software to customers who purchase the kit. https://www.fluidigm.com/

Compounds mixer

The Thinky ARM-310 engineering compounds mixer provides consistent mixing results with simple operation and no mixing implements to clean. Like the rest of the Thinky mixing machines, the Thinky ARM310 uses planetary centrifugal motion to quickly and homogeneously disperse engineering compounds such as adhesives, sealants, lubricants, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals. Mixing takes place in removable containers so that there is no mess to clean up after mixing to save valuable time and avoiding cross-contamination. The automated mixing process works in seconds to minutes, and provides the same mixing results every time, with a fast return on investment compared to manual mixing. Mixing programs can be stored in the mixer’s memory for easy operator use. https://www.intertronics.co.uk/

RNAscope assays

Bio-Techne launches its RNAscope VS Duplex kit, which delivers simultaneous in situ detection of two RNA species on an automated platform. The assay enables experiments including co-localization studies and gene expression profiling in specific cell types identifiable with known markers. The assay delivers improved specificity and sensitivity with clean signals, allowing researchers to pinpoint gene expression at single-molecule sensitivity. In addition, Bio-Techne launches the RNAScope VS Universal HRP and AP assays, which will integrate with Roche’s mRNA universal software. The assays also have protocols that allow dual staining with immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence. Bio-Techne also releases the updated RNAscope 2.5 VS Reagent Kit-BROWN and -RED assays, which deliver permanent and intensified staining. The firm claims the assays are suitable for archiving and are ideal when anticipating low copy target gene expression. https://www.bio-techne.com/

new Products

selective plane illumination microscopy

The ct-dSPIM is a flexible and easy-to-use selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) configuration from Applied Scientific Instrumentation (ASI), made from the company’s flexible and modular microscope components, allowing dual-views of large samples of cleared tissue. When used with ASI and Special Optics’s new objective optimized for light sheet imaging of cleared tissue, imaging depth can exceed 5mm into flat samples. The objective accommodates media RI from 1.33 to 1.56 (aqueous or organic media). The ct-dSPIM has successfully imaged various cleared tissue samples from microtome-cut slices to whole mouse brains. Unlike other light sheet techniques, this SPIM concept uses two objectives, oriented 45° from vertical, at right angles to one another above a horizontally mounted sample in an open dish. A light sheet is created from one objective and imaged through the other. A stack of images can be collected by moving the light sheet through the sample; in the case of the ct-dSPIM, the sample is normally moved through a stationary light sheet using an XY stage. As a dual-view system, the roles of the objectives can then be reversed to collect another stack from a different perspective; computationally merging the two stacks yields a 3D dataset with 2x improvement in axial resolution. http://www.asiimaging.com

Morphological imaging

Malvern Panalytical’s Morphologi 4 automated static imaging system and Morphologi 4-ID with integrated Morphologically-Directed Raman Spectroscopy (MDRS) are the ultimate solutions for scientists seeking absolute analysis and understanding of their samples. Morphological imaging is fast becoming an essential technology in the laboratory toolkit for particle characterization. Providing automated, rapid and component-specific morphological information, Morphologi instruments can be used to solve formulation and deformulation challenges, optimize material properties and create confidence throughout development and manufacturing. Detailed particle characterization, including shape and size analysis and chemical identification, enables thorough understanding of materials and how they impact the final product, in industries ranging from pharmaceutical development to metal powder processing and electrode manufacture. This level of knowledge creates confidence and control in optimized development and manufacture processes, and provides quick identification of the cause of process deviations. www.malvernpanalytical.com

RNAscope assays

Bio-Techne launches its RNAscope VS Duplex kit, which delivers simultaneous in situ detection of two RNA species on an automated platform. The assay enables experiments including colocalization studies and gene expression profiling in specific cell types identifiable with known markers. The assay delivers improved specificity and sensitivity with clean signals, allowing researchers to pinpoint gene expression at single-molecule sensitivity. In addition, Bio-Techne launches the RNAScope VS Universal HRP and AP assays, which will integrate with Roche’s mRNA universal software. The assays also have protocols that allow dual staining with immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence. Bio-Techne also releases the updated RNAscope 2.5 VS Reagent Kit-BROWN and -RED assays, which deliver permanent and intensified staining. The firm claims the assay are suitable for archiving and are ideal when anticipating low copy target gene expression. https://www.bio-techne.com/

Flow Cytometers

MilliporeSigma launches its new CellStream benchtop flow cytometry system, a compact, customizable flow cytometer that uses a camera for detection. Its optics system and design provide researchers with unparalleled sensitivity and flexibility when analyzing cells and submicron particles. Its time-delay integration and camera technology rapidly captures low-resolution cell images and converts them to high-throughput intensity data with enhanced fluorescence sensitivity. The new system can be used in a wide variety of research areas, including exosome research, where it can identify small populations unable to be seen on other cytometers. MilliporeSigma developed this new technology with the same patent-protected optics system as its Amnis flow cytometers, which are used in academic, biotech and pharmaceutical cell analysis and research applications. The CellStream flow cytometry system offers multiple innovative features, including: • Fully customizable 7-laser capacity provides unparalleled versatility and the capability to obtain up to 22 detection channels. • Patent-protected TDI sensor and camera technology enables high fluorescence sensitivity. • The system may be fully and quickly upgraded on-site to add more lasers if needed. • Standard 96-well plate auto-sampler is available on all instruments to capture high-throughput intensity data. • Event gallery allows visual verification of cell populations and helps troubleshoot. http://www.emdmillipore.com/Ca/en

Electromagnetic flowmeter

KROHNE, Inc. announces the FLEXMAG 4050 C, the first electromagnetic flowmeter with biocompatible disposable flow tube specifically developed for single-use biopharmaceutical applications, including filtration processes, chromatography, or buffer and media preparation. Featuring extremely high accuracy and factory calibration that eliminates the need for in-situ calibration, the FLEXMAG 4050 C includes a biocompatible and gamma sterilisable disposable flow tube. As an electromagnetic meter, the FLEXMAG 4050 C will not drift over time. It provides a completely stable, direct and accurate volumetric flow measurement, unaffected by fluid properties such as colour or density. The single-use flow path tubes are gamma sterilisable at 25…40 kGy irradiation. All wetted materials comply with FDA/USP Class VI and ISO 10993 and are manufactured in an ISO 13485 certified site within an ISO 7 clean room environment. The flow tube uses a single barb fitting that meets biopharmaceutical requirements for adaptation to single-use systems. The tube’s full-bore construction is designed for minimal hold-up volume without obstruction, and the single barb fitting is suitable for braided as well as nonbraided hoses. Disposable single-use flow tubes are packed in double sealed individual pouches, and the transmitter can accommodate two different flow tubes sizes. This gives end users the flexibility to handle two different flow ranges by simply exchanging the tube – without having to re-calibrate. https://us.krohne.com/