Laboratory Focus January/February 2014 by Promotive Communications

Pharmaceutical

Clinical

Chemical

w w w. l a b o r a t o r y f o c u s . c a

Trends in Sample Preparation Perspective on today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities

Page 7

food

environment

January/February 2014 Volume 18, Number 1

Revolutionizing fresh water production Page 13

R&D News.......................... 1 Pharma Notes..................... 5 Appointments..................... 6 New Products................... 15 Calendar........................... 17 App Reviews...................... 18

New energy harvesting technology set to reduce number of open-heart surgeries

Professor Armaghan Salehian.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a new technology that could dramatically reduce the number of open-heart surgeries for people with pacemakers. Professor Armaghan Salehian’s

Publications Mail Registration Number: 40052410

research group has developed wideband hybrid energy harvesters that use different types of smart materials to convert ambient vibrations into electricity. Used in pacemakers, the technology could

mean that batteries last longer and patients will have to endure fewer open-heart surgeries. “If a two-year-old child has to go through open heart surgery every seven or eight years that could translate into approximately ten surgeries in his or her life span to implant new pacemakers,” said professor Salehian of Waterloo’s Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering. “The number may be reduced noticeably by harvesting energy through vibrations and human motion to prolong the battery life.”

Salehian’s team, which includes graduate and undergraduate mechanical and mechatronics engineering students, completed a prototype for the new hybrid technology in August that has also shown potential for various wireless sensing applications. There is strong demand for more energy-efficiency units in today’s technology thanks to the increased use of electronic devices ranging from mobile phones and wireless sensors to medical implants. Selfsustained systems that can harvest different forms of ambient energy have the potential to lower costs and the need for regular battery replacements in devices such as pacemakers. While other researchers have undertaken similar work, the majority have developed devices designed for narrower ranges of vibration frequencies. For example, if an individual is moving at a certain pace, the device produces power but as soon as the rate of motion is changed or the frequencies are slightly different, the amount of power reduces significantly. “The prototype we’ve developed uses a combination of smart materials so the amount of harvested energy can be increased at a wider range of frequencies,” said Salehian. “This research could also be used to power wireless sensors that help detect cracks and damage to buildings.” Salehian is currently working to establish industrial partnerships with companies in North America. To see this story online visit http://www.laboratoryfocus. ca/?p=2084

January/February 2014 Laboratory Focus www.laboratoryfocus.ca

news Quantum Genetix acquires GenServe Laboratories™ Quantum Genetix Canada Inc. has acquired the Saskatchewan Research Council’s (SRC) GenServe Laboratories™, a laboratory known for the application of advanced DNA technologies on livestock. Located in Saskatoon, SK at the Innovation Place research park, Quantum Genetix ap-

plies genetic information and livestock management to the beef industry, providing customers with genetic technology in order to improve animal production and value. Their core products include Q-sort, Q-link and a suite of performance enhancing SNP’S.

As part the deal, Quantum Genetix will acquire the GenServe name, along with the livestock portion of its services. Quantum Genetix says it will continue operating GenServe with minimal changes to its daily operations. SRC will retain the crop portion of GenServe’s testing suite and

will continue to provide these services to the agriculture industry. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Terri Pavelic

To see this story online visit http://www.laboratoryfocus.ca/?p=2087

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alexandra Scholz Rui Resendes Stephanie Schweizer Trisa Robarge

staff writers Shawn Lawrence Daniela Fisher

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OFFICE: 24-4 Vata Court Aurora, ON L4G 4B6 Phone: 905-727-3875 Fax: 905-727-4428 E-mail: laboratory_focus@ promotive.net SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES circulation@promotive.net Fax: 905-727-4428 Laboratory Focus is published 4 times per year by Promotive Communications Inc. Legal Depository: National Library of Canada ISSN 40052410 Subscription rate in Canada $35/year; USA $60/year; other countries $100/year. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Publications Mail Registration Number: 40052410 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to circulation dept: 24-4 Vata Court Aurora, ON L4G 4B6 E-mail: circulation@promotive.net All opinions expressed herein are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or any person or organization associated with the magazine. If you would like to order hard copy or electronic reprints of articles, contact Sandra Service 905-727-3875 x228 reprints@promotive.net www.laboratoryfocus.ca

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January/February 2014

Breakthrough IRCM research shows importance of the DNA architecture in controlling gene activity

Institut De Recherche Clinique De Montreal (IRCM)

A study conducted by Dr. Marie Kmita and her team at the Institut De Recherche Clinique De Montéal (IRCM), in collaboration with Dr. Josée Dostie at McGill University, has shown the

importance of the chromatin architecture in controlling the activity of genes, especially those required for proper embryonic development. The discovery, recently published in

the scientific journal PLOS Genetics, could have a significant impact on the diagnosis of genetic diseases. Each cell in the body contains a person’s genetic information in the form of DNA molecules, wrapped around structures called nucleosomes. Together, the DNA and nucleosomes form the chromatin, which is the main component of chromosomes. “Our work shows that the regulation of the activity of genes controlling embryonic development is linked to the three-dimensional organization of the chromatin,” explains Dr. Kmita, director of the Genetics and Development research unit at the IRCM. “In fact, this chromatin architecture, which varies according to the cell type, generates specific contacts between sequences of regulatory DNA and the genes they regulate.” To date, studying the causes of genetic diseases is mainly achieved through DNA sequencing and the analysis of gene sequences. However, the cause of such diseases could

Funding announced for next generation prostate cancer research The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) announces it will match funding from BRI Biopharmaceutical Research Inc (BRI) for a total of $750,000 over a three year industry partnered collaborative research grant. This money will enable ongoing research collaborations between Dr. Yuzhuo Wang’s laboratories at the BC Cancer Agency and Vancouver Prostate Centre (VPC), and BRI to develop new state-of-the-art experimental cancer models. These models, which closely resemble patients’ malignancies, will help researchers discover and develop anti-cancer drugs that improve the treatment options for cancer patients. Dr. Wang and his team at the BC Cancer Agency and VPC are recognized internationally for their pioneering work in the field of prostate cancer modeling, and are responsible for creating a novel method for establishing transplantable xenograft models. This same method will be applied to establish a new panel of patientderived cancer models. “This type of patient-derived xenograft model will provide a real-

Benchside researchers at the Vancouver Prostate Centre. istic and practical approach for testing the effectiveness of new anti-cancer drug therapies,” said Dr. David Kwok, president and CEO at BRI. Dr. Wang’s work on patient-derived xenograft models was recently published in Cancer Research. His research standardizes a bank of transplantable patient-derived prostate

tumor xenograft models that, for the first time, capture the diverse biological and molecular heterogeneity of primary prostate cancer. To see this story online visit http://www.laboratoryfocus. ca/?p=2091

news

just as well be an anomaly in the DNA sequences that control the genes. “It is now possible to identify regulatory DNA that controls a given gene,” adds Dr. Kmita. “Our discovery paves the way for studying the mechanisms that control the architecture of chromatin, which should have a significant impact on identifying the causes and diagnosing genetic diseases.” The IRCM researchers’ scientific breakthrough could have an impact on a large number of genetic diseases, including those associated with the Hox genes studied by Dr. Kmita, such as synpolydactyly (a congenital malformation characterized by the fusion of digits and the production of additional digits) and the hand-footgenital syndrome (a genetic disease characterized by limb malformations and urogenital defects). To see this story online visit http://www.laboratoryfocus. ca/?p=2089

U of T professor Charles Boone wins 2014 Edward Novitski Prize The Genetics Society of America has awarded the 2014 Edward Novitski Prize to University of Toronto professor Charles Boone. The Novitski Prize is one of five awards the Genetics Society of America grants yearly. It is named after a pioneering American geneticist and the award recognizes exceptional ingenuity in genetics research. Boone and his colleagues invented a method to discover and map gene interactions among the thousands of genes that make up an organism’s genome. Their technology, synthetic genetic array (SGA) analysis, allows researchers to test the potential for genes to work together as pairs. The technology is automated, which means it can test millions of possible gene combinations to generate a survey of genome-wide genetic interactions. Boone developed SGA technology in yeast — a single-celled organism with a quarter as many genes as humans. Yeast offers an excellent Continued on page 4

January/February 2014 Laboratory Focus www.laboratoryfocus.ca

Continued from page 3

FEDS to invest in business-led research networks R&D challenges related to ultra-deep mining, green aviation, personalized cancer treatment and sustainable electronics manufacturing. “The Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence program enhances private sector innovation by blending academic expertise with the private

Charles Boone

Four Canadian research networks are receiving $49.7 million in funding from the federal government, through a competition for the Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) program. The research networks were awarded the funding to address industry

model for understanding the general principles underlying human genetics and disease. Researchers have since adapted SGA-like approaches for other systems, including human cells, and are using them to explore therapies for cancer and many other diseases. To see this story online visit http://www.laboratoryfocus. ca/?p=2094

From left to right: Samantha Espley, Janet Walden, Douglas Morrison, The Honourable Greg Rickford, Irene Sterian, Sylvain Cofsky, Loretta Renard and Sudbury Mayor Marianne Matichuk

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sector’s drive to solve real-world challenges,” commented Greg Rickford, Minister of State for Science and Technology, who made the funding announcement in Sudbury. The networks who will be receiving the funding are: • Ultra Deep Mining Network (UDMN) – Sudbury – $15 million • Business-Led Network of Centres of Excellence in Precision Therapeutics (PreThera Research) – Quebec City – $15 million • Green Aviation Research and Development Network (GARDN) – Montreal – $12 million • Refined Manufacturing Acceleration Process (ReMAP) – Toronto – $7.7 million This latest round of funding is the second competition for new networks since the program began in 2007. The funding was leveraged by other sources, as partners pay at least half of each network’s eligible direct research costs. For a more in-depth backgrounder about the program and the funded research networks, see http://www. nce-rce.gc.ca/Media-Medias/newscommuniques/News-Communique_ eng.asp?ID=139. To see this story online visit http://www.laboratoryfocus. ca/?p=2096

Stem cell institute’s recruit looks for genetic roots of brain disease The promise of discovering potential treatments for catastrophic diseases like autism and schizophrenia is being explored by Karun Singh at McMaster University’s Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute (SCC-RI). A neuroscientist and the institute’s newest recruit, his pioneering research is concentrating on uncovering underlying genetic defects inside the brains of people with these, and other neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s. These are significant conditions as autism impacts one in 88 Canadian children, schizophrenia, a serious brain and mind disorder, affects 300,000 Canadians, and more than 500,000 Canadians suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Autism — and most psychiatric disorders — have a genetic component, and his research will search for clues by studying specific genetic mutations associated with these diseases, said Singh,assistant professor of biochemistry and biomedical sciences. “Starting there, we will eventually try to model it in a derived brain (neural) cell. This will allow us to probe what is wrong and how that mutation gives rise to a defective brain cell,” Singh explained. Once he has uncovered what is abnormal, he plans to work to discover drugs that correct the defect.

Karun Singh

news

Singh’s research is a comfortable blend with investigations already underway in the institute, said Mick Bhatia, director of the SCC-RI. “Karun was an ideal recruit and fit for SCC-RI and sits in the pocket of where we strategically plan to go towards discovering new drugs for brain disorders that include Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.” Singh grew up in Hamilton and received his first science degree at McMaster. Most recently, he was a postdoctoral associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; where he investigated how psychiatric disease risk genes affect brain development and neural circuit formation. To see this story online visit http://www.laboratoryfocus. ca/?p=2098

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Laboratory Focus January/February 2014

Pharma notes

Karun Singh

Helix BioPharma Corp. (Aurora, ON) has commenced patient screening for the sixth dose level cohort in its ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical study of LDOS47 in Poland. This follows completion of the first treatment cycle of the three patients enrolled in the fifth dose level cohort, in which L-DOS47 therapy was well tolerated as reviewed by the trial steering committee. The study is an open-label study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of ascending doses of L-DOS47, initially as a monotherapy, in patients with inoperable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic, non-squamous, stage IIIb/IV NSCLC. The study commenced with a starting dose of 0.12 micrograms of L-DOS47 per kilogram of patient body weight in the first patient cohort. Patients to be enrolled in the sixth cohort will receive the next L-DOS47 dose level as planned in the study protocol, which is 0.78 micrograms of L-DOS47 per kilogram of patient body weight. Qu Biologics Inc. (Vancouver, BC) has been granted its second broad Australian patent for the targeted treatment of various cancers, including all common cancers. Australian Patent No.2007308721 involves the tissue-targeted activation of the immune response to treat cancers. The patent encompasses formulations of killed viruses to stimulate this site specific anti-tumour immune response. Qu Biologics develops immunotherapies called Site Specific Immunomodulators (SSIs), which are derived from inactivated bacteria and viruses aimed at stimulating the body’s own immune system against cancer and autoimmune disease. The company’s SSI platform represents a promising new approach to cancer and autoimmune disease. Qu Biologics has developed multiple SSIs, each of which targets a specific tissue/organ system.

Sirona Biochem Corp. (Vancouver, BC) has signed a global exclusive licensing agreement with Obagi Medical Products for the commercialization of its skin lightening compound

TFC-849. Sirona Biochem will receive a licensing fee and ongoing royalty payments for global product sales from Obagi Medical Products. As part of the agreement Sirona will

transfer its patented skin lightening technology and know-how to Obagi. Obagi will be responsible for the manufacturing, distribution and global sales of the final commercial products. Target

launch of products including Sirona Biochem’s TFC-849 is Q4 2014 for Obagi. The exclusive license for TFC849 is valid for the global Valeant Pharmaceuticals family of companies.

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aPPointments

Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. announces the appointment of Donald Olds as chief operating officer, effective immediately. Prior to his new position with Bioniche Life Sciences, Olds has held key executive positions with biotechnology, investment banking, and information technology companies where he has led successful licensing, merger and acquisition and debt and equity transactions for public and private organizations. He currently serves as chairman of the board for the Neomed Institute, as director and chair of the audit committee of the Centre Quebecois, director of Bellus Health and is treasurer of Oxfam Québec. Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. has elected Dr. Calvin R. Stiller as chairman of its board of directors. Dr. Stiller has been a member of the board since July 2011 and served as lead director and chair of the governance and nominating committee. He is well known in the biotechnology community having served in various capacities in the public and private sector. He was the founding chair of Trillium Therapeutics, which recently merged with Stem Cell Therapeutics, as well as Verio Therapeutics, which was acquired by FATE Therapeutics. He was also the founding chair of Oracle Services Network and served on the board of Allelix Biopharmaceuticals. He currently serves on the board of Revera, one of Canada’s largest HealthCare companies, where he chairs the investment committee. Dr. Stiller is recognized as a co-founder of the Ontario Institute

Dr. Richard Sachse has joined Aeterna Zentaris as its new senior vice president and chief scientific officer. In this new role, Sachse

for Cancer Research (of which he is chair), MaRS Discovery District (of which he is a director), and the Canadian-California Cancer Stem Cell Initiative. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a member of the Order of Ontario, and a laureate of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. Halifax Biomedical Inc. (HBI), a Nova Scotia based company that specializes in precision assessment of spine and joint-replacement micro-instability announces three additions to its executive management team. John Simon has been named COO, Godfrey Marchand as CFO and Dr. Erik Giphart as CTO. Simon’s previous work includes vice president roles in business development and operations in a wide range of industries including information technology, healthcare, energy, and government. Griphart is a biomedical engineer and scientist with extensive experience in orthopaedic and joint motion research, design and development of advanced imaging techniques and devices, algorithm development, and biomechanics. Most recently he was senior staff scientist and director of the BioMotion Laboratory at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute. Prior to his appointment, Marchand was co-founder and vice president of corporate affairs at Zelos Therapeutics Inc. Following an extensive international search, Australian scientist Robert Lamb has been selected to lead Canada’s national synchrotron, the Canadian Light Source at

the University of Saskatchewan, effective August 1, 2014. Lamb will succeed CLS executive director Josef Hormes, who will be leaving the position. In addition to his appointment, Lamb will also hold a tenured full professorship in the U of S Department of Chemistry. Currently at the University of Melbourne, Lamb was the founding director of the Australian Synchrotron, leading the successful transition from construction to operation as a national facility, as well as successfully securing the millions of dollars in advancing the facility’s growth from an early 250 to 1,500 users. In addition, Lamb is very familiar with the CLS facility having previously served as chair of the CLS’s scientific advisory committee. A recognized leader in synchrotron surface science, Lamb has PhDs in chemistry and physics, from the Universities of Melbourne and Cambridge, respectively, and more than 200 scientific publications and 39 patents.

will be responsible for all areas of the company’s global research and development activities. He will also serve on the corporate operating committee. Prior to joining Aeterna Zentaris, Sachse was vice president and head of Global Translational Medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim. Previously, he held increasingly senior positions at a number of major pharma companies, including Bayer, Schwarz Pharma and at UCB in Belgium. In these roles, he oversaw major drug development programs in a number of different therapeutic areas, including oncology and endocrinology.

Qu Biologics Inc. has appointed Rashieda Gluck as vice president, clinical operations. Gluck is a clinical trial development and operational execution specialist with more than 20 years of experience spanning all phases of clinical development. In H I G H P U R I T Y S O LV E N T S , AC I D S , S O L U T I O N S , C H E M I C A L S A N D M O R E . . . her most recent position as VP, head of global clinical operations at Vifor Pharma, based in Zurich Switzerland, she built and led the clinical operations department and held overall accountability for the execution and delivery of all global clinical trials across all development compounds. She has served in increasingly senior positions at major pharmaceutical companies including Chiron, GSK, and Novartis and has built and contributed to the clinical success of start-up companies call: 877-225-3366 | fax: 905-877-6666 such as Aspreva Pharmaceuservice@caledonlabs.com ticals.

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Laboratory Focus January/February 2014

feature

By Trisa Robarge

Trends in Sample Preparation “Sample Preparation” is a broad term, one that can be used in many contexts and applications. In fact, at a recent seminar, which focused on “sample preparation”, it was clear that there were nearly as many definitions of sample preparation as there were presenters and attendees. For the sake of this article, then, sample preparation is defined as the preparation of samples containing known or unknown analytes for analysis using gas (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC) with detection by mass spectrometry (MS), tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS), conventional detectors, or a combination of these. In addition, the focus will be on sample preparation techniques designed for applications covering “small molecules,” leaving for future discussion those opportunities that lie within the fields of protein and peptide analysis. Sample Preparation Fundamentals for Chromatography1 is an excellent reference for the broader range of sample preparation techniques and application areas that has been recently released. This new handbook provides an extensive discussion on options, use, and principles of sample preparation for chromatography, and is a valuable guide for today’s scientists facing many of the challenges encountered when dealing with sample preparation, based on a survey of LCGC readers conducted in early January 2013.2 There are four main contributors to today’s sample preparation trends: 1. Instrument evolution 2. Sample Preparation Miniaturization 3. Changing Regulatory Environment 4. Ongoing economic pressure

An Updated Perspective on Today’s Needs and Tomorrow’s Opportunities Each of these will be discussed in the context of sample preparation, with examples provided to highlight how sample preparation approaches adapt to each challenge and change.

Instrument Evolution Today’s analytical instrumentation offers chemists exciting performance advantages in terms of specificity, acquisition rate, and sensitivity. Gas and liquid chromatography columns and systems support short separation cycles, considerably re-

ducing analysis times and increasing throughput. Narrow-bore GC columns and small-particle HPLC columns offer high resolution, narrow peak widths and fast run times. Detectors have evolved with these improved capabilities, becoming faster to ensure characterization of peaks with increasing selectivity, allowing for deconvolution of signals that may overlap or co-elute in the shorter analytical run time. These changes in instrumentation also require changes in the sample prepa-

ration approaches in order to support these capabilities. One consideration is the analytical run time. With short runs, the instrumental analysis is no longer the bottleneck in reporting a sample. Instead, the time needed for sample preparation may be the largest contributor to the overall time it takes to complete a sample analysis. This results in a need for sample prep approaches that are shorter, less labour intensive and more streamlined. An example of this type of adaptation is

Table 1 Summary of the method development study for a mini-QuEChERS approach to pharmaceutical analysis in whole blood. Sample Extraction Extraction salts (1 mL) solvent (mg) d-SPE Observation WB ACN

none

none Sample: solid mass

WB ACN, 1% AA

none

none Sample: solid mass

WB ACN, 0.4% FA

none

none Sample: loose particles

WB ACN, 0.4% FA Nonbuffered, 500

none Dark extract

WB ACN, 0.4% FA AOAC, 500

none Clear extract

WB ACN, 0.4% FA EN, 650

none Dark extract

WB ACN, 0.4% FA Nonbuffered, 500

50 mg PSA, 150 mg MgSO4 Clear extract

WB ACN, 0.4% FA AOAC, 500

50 mg PSA, 150 mg MgSO4 Clear extract

WB ACN, 0.4% FA EN, 650

25 mg PSA, 150 mg MgSO4 Clear extract

WB ACN, 0.4% FA EN, 650

50 mg PSA, 150 mg MgSO4 Clear extract

WB = whole blood; ACN = acetonitrile, AA = acetic acid; FA = formic acid, PSA = primary secondary amine, AOAC = MgSO4 and NaAcetate, EN = MgSO4 and citrate buffers, Nonbuffered = MgSO4 and sodium chloride

January/February 2014 Laboratory Focus www.laboratoryfocus.ca

Feature the QuEChERS technique. QuEChERS, which stands for Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe, is an approach to sample preparation that incorporates a salting-out partitioning step plus a cleanup step using dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE). This provides an extract that is sufficiently clean for instrumental analysis, particularly in conjunction with tandem mass spectrometry, which delivers a higher level of selectivity. While QuEChERS was originally developed in 2003 for the extraction of pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables,3 the approach has since been found to be amenable to a wider range of target compounds and sample types than originally intended. As such, QuEChERS approaches are applied to applications and compound classes in a wider range of markets. This trend in sample preparation is highlighted by several recent publications. In one study, the QuEChERS approach was used to prepare whole blood samples for the analysis of pharmaceuticals.4 Whole blood samples were prepared following the QuEChERS extraction/partition and dSPE cleanup methods, evaluating the effects of different salts and cleanup sorbents, as well as the selection of an appropriate acidification step during the extraction. The study results, including comments on sample cleanliness, are summarized in Table 1. Following extraction and cleanup, the combination of salts and dSPE selection were compared for final extract cleanliness from a visible perspective, and all combinations resulted in a final extract that was clear and suitable for LC-MS/MS analysis (Figure 1). Good recoveries and precision were demonstrated, and the chromatography shows a fast run time with good peak shape and lack of interference at the 10 ng/mL concentration (Figure 2). The QuEChERS approach and protocol has also been applied to other food types, such as meats, teas, and fish.5,6,7 Work continues to be published using QuEChERS as scientists see the value of this methodology because it addresses important pain points in the lab in terms of cost, throughput and simplicity. By providing a final extract that is cleaner than simple dilution would yield, while minimizing steps and reducing the use of more toxic reagents and solvents, QuEChERS is expected to continue to grow, particularly as a complement to today’s analytical instruments.

Sample Preparation Miniaturization Just as the added selectivity of tandem MS instrumentation supports simplified sample preparation approaches such as QuEChERS and dilute-andshoot, the increasing sensitivity of to-

day’s instruments also support a trend toward miniaturization of the entire sample preparation workflow. This includes collection of smaller sample sizes at the beginning and extends to techniques that are tailored to this small sample size. These include online solid phase extraction (online SPE), single-drop microextraction (SDME), and functionalized magnetic particles, among other miniaturized techniques. Nanoparticles are also an intriguing area of development, offering an approach to sample preparation that allows for a high level of selectivity while being compatible with a smaller sample size.8 An example of how instrument sensitivity and selectivity allows for reduction in sample size can be seen in the analysis of organic contaminants in environmental water samples. Traditional analysis of contaminants in water requires collection and extraction of 1 L of water.9 For the environmental lab, this sample size results in additional costs for logistics, storage, and preparation. Using online SPE, or even direct injection, the collected sample size can be reduced by 90 per cent or more.10 Similar reductions in sample size can be achieved in bio-

Figure 2 Final extract cleanliness, using a combination of extraction salts and dSPE cleanup steps.

A. EN Citrate salts plus dSPE with 150 mg MgSO4 and 25 mg PSA B. EN citrate salts, plus dSPE with 150 mg MgSO4 and 50 mg PSA C. AOAC acetate salts, plus dSPE with 150 mg MgSO4 and 50 mg PSA D. Non-buffered chloride salts, plus dSPE with 150 mg MgSO4 and 50 mg PSA

Figure 3 LC-MS/MS chromatogram of a 10 ng/mL spiked whole blood sample, following extraction with AOAC acetate salts and cleanup using 50 mg PSA sorbent plus 150 mg MgSO4.

analysis when using dried matrix or dried blood spots in combination with microextraction techniques.11 A study of herbicides in surface water using online SPE coupled with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/ MS) demonstrates the power of pairing reduced sample size with more sensitive instrumentation.10 Selected herbicides were analyzed at low ppt (ng/L) levels in a variety of water sources, using a 900 µL injection volume and online SPE. For online SPE, the sample is applied to a cartridge

containing sorbent, in this case PLRPs polymeric SPE, allowing the sample to pass through to waste while collecting analytes on the sorbent. The online SPE cartridge is positioned in the system such that the valve controls can direct sample flow through the cartridge. Following sample application, flow is reversed through the SPE cartridge to elute the sample, focused as a tight band, onto the LC analytical column, where separation occurs. Detection using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) with two or more transitions acquired per tar-

get compound enables sensitive, selective detection, with resulting limits of detection determined to be 0.1 ppt or lower for the compounds tested. Figure 3 shows the reconstructed ion chromatogram for the target herbicides at 0.1 ppt using the MRM method.

Changing Regulatory Requirements As the instrumentation available to scientists becomes more sensitive, regulations in countries and regions adapt accordingly, particularly as

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& reagents

January/February 2014 Laboratory Focus www.laboratoryfocus.ca

feature more becomes known about the effects on biological systems of even very low concentrations of active compounds. Keeping up with these changing regulations requires scientists working in environmental, food, and similar types of industries to adapt by deploying new instrumentation, incorporating more selective sample preparation techniques, or a combination thereof. In food analysis, another complication may be the need to analyze according to a range of reporting limits, based on differences in import and export regulations. An example of this is in the regulation of hormones in meats and meat products. Different countries and regions have different regulatory limits and exclusions on hormones that may be used in the production of meat. Being able to address these changing requirements requires an analytical method that offers the flexibility to prepare samples for a wide range of compounds, combined with an instrument capable of delivering the required sensitivity. Solid phase extraction (SPE) is a sample preparation method with a long history of use, one which continues to be relevant even as sample prep trends expand into other techniques. Because of the effectiveness at sample cleanup, ease of use, and ability to have a generic methodology, SPE remains a relevant and viable option for sample preparation.2 Even as trends in sample preparation turn to novel sorbents, formats, or alternate techniques, SPE continues to grow. A recent application demonstrated the utility of SPE for the analysis of hormone residues in pork.12 This application is a good example of the challenge of meeting regulatory requirements that change or vary from region to region, and the sample preparation method using SPE offers a simple, effective cleanup step that is amenable to an analytical method that can meet a broad range of requirements. This flexibility is an important consideration when working in regulated environments.

Continued Economic Pressure An important macroeconomic trend in the analytical world is the continued economic challenge faced in many regions. This challenge to continue to deliver high-quality analytical results while also carefully balancing the level of investment into the workflow puts considerable pressure on the sample preparation steps. These steps in the workflow are typically the largest contributors to the overall cost of analysis, in terms of time, labour and materials.1 Looking for opportunities to reduce this cost component results in changing sample preparation methods, deploying alternate techniques, and in some cas-

figure 4 chromatogram of a water sample spiked at 0.1 ppt with selected herbicides, analyzed using online sPe and lc-ms/ms.

es, completely changing the analytical approach. An example of this may be converting a method that uses GCMS with extraction and sample derivatization over to an LC-MS method that uses a simple “dilute-and-shoot” approach without derivatization. A recent review by Deventer, Pozo, Verstraete, and Van Eenoo evaluated dilute-and-shoot LC-MS/MS methods, or DS-LC-MS, as the authors termed this process, in the context of testing urine for sports doping applications.13 Of the studies included in the review, less than 40 per cent of the methods used were simply dilute-and-shoot. For a large majority of the studies reviewed, an additional cleanup step was incorporated, such as centrifugation, filtration, or a combination of centrifugation plus filtration. The authors note specific challenges that result from the dilute-and-shoot approach, namely issues with particulates, ion suppression or enhancement, and elution of salts affecting reproducibility of early eluting compounds, depending on the LC conditions. Clearly, while dilute-and-shoot with LC-MS is an option for reducing costs, this route needs to be evaluated for unintended consequences that may affect method ruggedness or overall cost of analysis. Increased consumption of LC columns due to blockage or contamination, increased frequency of maintenance to the mass spectrometer or HPLC or UHPLC system, and or a higher rate of sample repeats due to matrix can all increase costs and decrease productivity, working against the intended goal.

Conclusions There are many factors that affect sample preparation in today’s analytical labs. This review focused on just of a few of those factors. This area within our workflows lays the foundation for success, and as such, scientists continue to develop new approaches, to apply new techniques to current products, and to figure out

how to be successful within their area of research. Exploiting the exciting developments in analytical instrumentation to reach lower detection limits, achieve higher throughput and make new discoveries leads to opportunities to evaluate sample preparation approaches. Taking even more advantage of increased instrument capabilities allows miniaturization of the sample prep approaches, including collecting, transporting and using less sample. Keeping up with regulations may put pressure on the entire workflow, from validation to instrument selection to sample preparation methodologies. Finally, meeting the day-to-day challenges of working in the lab while also trying to do more with less provides opportunities to streamline or completely change sample preparation workflows to reduce cost, while maintaining the quality of results. Finding the right balance may require trial and error, but there are resources available to help find the best approach.

References 1. Majors, R. Sample Preparation Fundamentals for Chromatography. www.agilent.com/chem/ SamplePrepBook. 2. Majors, R. LCGC North America. Volume 31, Issue 3, pp. 120-203. (2013). 3. M. Anastassiades, S.J. Lehotay, D. Štajnbaher, and F.J. Schenk, J. AOAC Int. 86, 4121 (2003). 4. Stevens, J. http://www. chem.agilent.com/Library/ applications/5990-8789EN.pdf, retrieved December 30, 2013. 5. Wozniak, B., Zuchowska, I.M., Zmudzki, J. Journal of Chromatography B, Volume 940, 1 December 2013, pp. 15-23. 6. Zhai, C.H., http://www. chem.agilent.com/Library/ applications/5990-6400EN.pdf, retrieved January 7, 2014 7. Chang, M., https://www. chem.agilent.com/Library/

applications/5991-2408EN.pdf, retrieved January 6, 2014. 8. Tian, J. Xu, J., Zhu, F., Lu, T, Su, C, Ouyang, G. Journal of Chromatography A, Vol. 1300, pp. 2–16 (2013). 9. United States EPA Method 524.3. Determination of Semivolatile organic chemicals in drinking water by solid phase extraction and capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). EPA Document #: EPA/600/R-12/010. Version 1.0. February, 2012. 10. Mohsin, S.B., Woodman, M. http://www.chem.agilent.com/ Library/applications/59912731EN.pdf. Retrieved January 2, 2014. 11. Arora, R. Hudson, W., Boguszewski, P. http://www.chem.agilent. com/Library/applications/59909929EN.pdf. Retrieved January 2, 2014 12. Zhai, C.H. http://www. chem.agilent.com/Library/ applications/5991-3660EN.pdf. Retrieved January 6, 2014. 13. Deventer, K., Pozo, O.J., Verstraete, A.G., Van Eenoo, P. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 55, pp. 1-13 (2014).

Trisa Robarge, product manager for Agilent Technologies sample preparation products has over 20 years of experience with sample preparation, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology with an emphasis on pre-medicine and biochemistry and an MBA in Marketing.

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Laboratory Focus January/February 2014

feature

b y : s t e P h a ni e s c hwe i z e r a nd a l e xa nd ra s cholz

A Matter of Speed: Realtime PCR for the rapid detection of mycoplasma contamination

Mycoplasma are among the world’s smallest bacteria capable of independent reproduction. They belong to the class of Mollicutes and have a very slow and parasitic growth. They cause many infections in figure 1 ct values of the samples with and without concentration step; rFu = relative Fluorescence units animals and plants. Mycoplasma are very difficult to control as they lack the bacterial cell wall, which is the main point of attack for many antibiotics. For this reason, a complete retention with conventional cell structure sterile filters (0.2 µm pore size) is not possible. The danger is that the mycoplasma with a cell size between 0.5 and 0.8 µm could pass through the pores due to their great flexibility and capacity for deformation.

Detection of Mycoplasma There are many methods for the identification of a mycoplasma contamination. Growth-based methods, e.g. the cultivation in special liquid or solid nutrient media, or the detection by means of fluorescence microscopy are very common and in combination represent the golden standard. Growth-based detection requires a cultivation time of at least 28 days before a contamination with these slowgrowing bacteria can be ruled out

name of sample

fluorescencedye

threshold value (rfe)

ct-value

negativ control

FaM

2000

no ct

FaM

2000

no ct

FaM

2000

no ct

FaM

2000

24,60

FaM

2000

24,87

FaM

2000

17,16

FaM

2000

17,02

FaM

2000

16,72

FaM

2000

17,18

FaM

2000

16,91

FaM

2000

16,25

FaM

2000

16,91

FaM

2000

16,25

without concentration

concentration with vivaspin 20 (inkl. coating buffer)

January/February 2014 Laboratory Focus www.laboratoryfocus.ca

feature

table 1 ∆ ct values with and without the use of coating buffer

vivaspin 20 (vs20)

membrane treatment

sample volume

vs20 + 18 ml sample ? 10 min 3.500 x g

18 ml

6,07

vs20 + 18 ml sample + 2 ml coating buffer ? 20 min 3.500 x g

18 ml

7,90

∆ ct

table 2

Ampliﬁcation curves for Mycoplasma fermentans samples with and without previous Vivaspin concentration step, including Coating Buffer

with certainty. During this period, the sample must be visually inspected on a daily basis, which requires a great amount of time. Even with the aid of fluorescence detection it takes at least eight days before a mycoplasma infection can be ruled out. In addition, the user needs a trained eye, a lot of experience and specific know-how for the interpretation of the results.

The three-hour alternative PCR-based detection kits such as the Microsart AMP Mycoplasma Kit from Sartorius offer their users a sensitive and robust detection within only three hours. The method is simple and cost effective; the kit is supplied ready for use. All that is needed on top is a Realtime Thermocycler that is capable of detecting the fluorescent dyes FAM and ROX. The PCR Kit is suitable for a wide variety of initial matrices. In combination with a Vivaspin 20 or Vivaspin 6 ultrafiltration unit, a volume of up to 18 ml can be processed, which ensures an increase in sensitivity.

Material and Methods The following describes the example of sample preparation with a Vivaspin 20 unit with subsequent DNA isolation and Microsart AMP mycoplasma detection. Mycoplasma fermentans were cultivated in a Hayflick medium at 37 ÅãC until a slight colour change was apparent of the phenol red indicator and then diluted 1:1,000 in 1 x PBS (Phosphate Buffered Saline). 18 ml of the diluted sample were pipetted into each of the Vivaspin 20 units. In order to neutralize non-specific compounds, 2 ml of coating buffer was added to each of the samples. This was followed by a centrifugation phase of 3,500 x g for 20 min, until the concentrated retentate volume was approximately 200 µl. With the aid of 200 µl lysis buffer, the entire concentrate was transferred into a new 1.5 ml reaction tube. The buffer was used to flush the Vivaspin units in order to guarantee a complete quantitative transfer of the sample. The mixture, consisting of 200 µl concen-

trated sample and 200 µl lysis buffer was incubated for 15 min at 56 ÅãC in order to complete the cell lysis. After this, the samples underwent DNA isolation with the use of silica-based centrifuge tubes. During the DNA isolation the Microsart AMP Extraction Kit was used according to the kit manual. Almost the entire isolated DNA was used in the Realtime PCR (50 µl of the 60 µl DNA eluate) in order to achieve maximum sensitivity. In parallel, the DNA of the same initial material was isolated without the Vivaspin concentration step in order to enable a direct comparison between the samples, with and without concentration. The PCR reactions were prepared as specified in the kit manual, according to the following protocol: 1. Centrifuging of the reaction tubes contained in the kit with the lyophilized components for 5 seconds at maximum speed. Addition of 1,275 µl rehydration buffer to the Primer/ Probe/Nucleotide mix (red cap). 2. Addition of 300 µl water (PCR qual-

ity) to the positive control (green cap) and to the internal control (yellow cap). 3. Five minutes incubation at room temperature until rehydration is complete. 4. Brief mixing of the rehydrated solutions with the Vortex mixer and and short centrifugation. 5. Composition of the master mix: per reaction, pipetting and mixing of 49 µl Primer/Probe/Nucleotide mix (red cap) and 1 µl of the internal control (yellow cap) into a 1.5 ml reaction tube. 6. Pipetting of 50 µl of the master mix plus 50 µl of the sample or positive or negative control material (e.g. elution buffer, PCR water or 10 mM Tris buffer) into 200 µl PCR tubes and insertion into the pre-programmed Realtime Thermoycler. The results are illustrated in Table 1 and 2 and in Figure 1. The Ct value (Cycle Threshold) of the concentrated samples was always compared with samples which were not concentrated. The Ct value is the amplification cycle at which a certain fluorescence threshold value is exceeded. Table 1 lists the individual Ct values. Table 2 shows the average delta-Ct value resulting from Table 1 and the Ct difference which results from using or not using the Coating Buffer. The delta Ct value is determined as follows: ∆ Ct = Ct (sample without Vivaspin concentration) – Ct (concentrated sample) With the concentration in combination with the Coating Buffer a delta-Ct value of ∆ Ct > 7 could be achieved for Mycoplasma fermentans. When the Coating Buffer was not used (individual values are not listed) a lower delta-Ct value of ∆ Ct ~ 6 was recorded although it was possible to profit from the shorter centrifuging times of the Vivaspin units. However, this still represents a considerable increase in sensitivity. Parameters such as sensitivity and time saved are essential for the investigation of mycoplasma contamination. These are fulfilled with the described PCR Kit in combination with the concentration step. By using Vivaspin 20, a Ct improvement of ∆ Ct > 7 could be achieved, which corresponds to an increase in sensitivity of approximately 2 log levels. This makes the Microsart AMP Mycoplasma Detection Kit and Vivaspin 20 a cost-effective and practical quick-test for mycoplasma.

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feature

by: rui resendes

Switchable water:

A wastewater solution

Globally, 884 million people lack access to clean water. This is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today. Indeed, many of our most signiﬁcant societal challenges, such as famine, disease proliferation and political unrest, can be linked to this issue. Furthermore, the recovery and re-use of industrial wastewater, which is a signiﬁcant consumer of our fresh water reserves, must be enhanced. Yet we do have access to an abundant source of water—saltwater as found in our oceans.

hile most of us in Canada are unaware that water is becoming an increasingly scarce commodity, desalination of sea water has already become a large industrial sector representing over US$20 billion in turnover per year and growing at a rate (CAGR) of 9.4 per cent per annum. This market is mainly comprised of operations where no other alternatives are available. Currently, processes such as thermal distillation (boiling water with intense energy input then condensing the resulting vapours) and reverse osmosis (using high pres-

sure to squeeze salt water through a selective membrane which allows water to pass through but not the dissolved salts) are being used to convert seawater into drinking water. Approximately 78 billion litres of salt water are purified by these methods every day. However, these processes are costly and energy intensive. Purifying that much salt water uses over 28 million kWh of electricity a day, which is enough energy to power over 1.4 million Canadian homes. Clearly, a more sustainable solution is needed. Furthermore, these incumbent technologies are limited in their ability to economically reme-

January/February 2014 Laboratory Focus www.laboratoryfocus.ca

feature Forward Water has developed a new “switchable salt” additive that can be used to generate concentrated salt solutions by effectively “sponging” water from an area of low salt concentration (e.g. seawater, three per cent salt or process waste water, typically seven per cent salt) through a forward osmosis process. figure 1

figure 2

diate industrial wastewater streams. Consequently, we need an environmentally and economically sustainable process to convert our abundant supplies of seawater into potable water that can also address the recovery of industrial wastewater. Enter Forward Water Technology’s proprietary desalination process. Forward Water has developed a new “switchable salt” additive that can be used to generate concentrated salt solutions by effectively “sponging” water from an area of low salt concentration (e.g. seawater, three per cent salt or process waste water, typically seven per cent salt)

through a forward osmosis process. Unlike reverse osmosis, forward osmosis is a natural phenomenon that requires very little energy input. In fact, it’s the same process that regulates proper turgor pressure in the cells of all living things! Through this process, water wants to naturally flow from the low concentration area to the high concentration area. When a selective membrane is used to separate the low and high concentration areas, only the fresh water moves from the input stream (either seawater or waste or produced water) into the “sponge,” i.e. the highly concentrated salt solution based on Forward Water’s proprietary switchable salt. At this point, we have effectively “sponged” fresh water from the input stream into our “switchable salt” solution. However, the problem is not quite addressed. Indeed, the most innovative facet of Forward Water’s technology is the ability to switch this salt into gaseous byproducts. Once we have extracted (sponged) all of the fresh water from the input stream, we are able to “switch” the salt that comprises the draw solution. Once switched, it transforms into gaseous byproducts, which simply effervesce out of the solution resulting in clean water. Furthermore, the salt, which has been switched and bubbled out of the draw solution, can be collected and reused to regenerate a fresh batch of draw solution, i.e. the “sponge”. The whole process is effective, energy efficient, recyclable and cost effective. Forward Water’s technology is an environmentally and economically viable method to generate potable water from seawater and significantly reduce the total volume of industrial wastewater that needs to be remediated. Forward Water is currently working with its strategic partners to continue to develop this platform. The company is also seeking private investors to support the company’s growth and platform development. Once financed, the company will work with its strategic partners to design and commission a demonstration unit followed by a pilot unit with a desired throughput of 100250 m3 per day.

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Laboratory Focus January/February 2014

Plate reader system Promega Corporation has launched the GloMax® Discover, an integrated multimode detection plate reader system. Together with the company’s cell and biochemical assay portfolio, GloMax Discover offers scientists an integrated system to easily study cell signaling and metabolism, while monitoring cell viability, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity, or to study gene expression with a wide variety of reporter assays. The system offers a broad range for both strong and weak bioluminescence experimental samples, with luminescence sensitivity and low well-to-well cross talk, enabling users to generate more usable data from each experiment. GloMax Discover also provides filters for fluorescence intensity, BRET, FRET, filtered luminescence and UV-visible absorbance measurements. Likewise, the system’s software provides quick and easy navigation through the control options, preloaded assay protocols, and drag-and-drop protocol customization. Exporting results is simple, with a variety of options including exporting to a local data network, external flash drive, internet cloudbased server, and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

web: www.promega.com

UPLC System Waters Corporation introduces its new Waters® ACQUITY UPLC® MClass System, an industry-first nano- to microscale UltraPerformance LC® (UPLC®) system rated for 15,000 psi operation. Coupled to Waters mass spectrometers, the system delivers the sensitivity to quantify and to identify vanishingly small concentrations of key molecules. The ACQUITY UPLC M-Class System is ideally suited for a broad range of applications including proteomics, metabolic profiling, metabolite identification and pharmacokinetic studies. Its new 15k psi-capable ACQUITY UPLC M-Class Columns tap the potential of sub-2-micron particle technology, yielding faster separations, greater peak capacities and increased levels of sensitivity.

web: www.waters.com

Headspace sampler Shimadzu Scientific Instruments has launched the HS-20 Series of headspace samplers. The HS-20 Series consists of two models: a Loop model for the traditional static headspace methods, and a Trap model, which adds the dynamic headspace technique for applications requiring greater sensitivity. The HS-20 Series is ideal for repeatability through its precise control of gas flow rates, and a mechanism that allows a sample vial to enter the oven from the bottom. This technique minimizes heat loss and thermal instability during the equilibration step. The oven can be heated to 300 °C, enabling accurate analysis of higher-boiling compounds. Additionally, both models have been engineered with a short, inert sample pathway to minimize carryover from one sample to the next. The HS-20 Series tray holds up to 90 sample vials. It accommodates both 10-mL and 20-mL headspace vials within the same sequence without the need for special attachments. The open architecture of the HS-20 tray provides easy access to all vials for loading and enables stress-free maintenance from the top of the instrument for improved productivity and minimal downtime. The automated shutdown feature switches the system to standby at the end of a sequence to save on electricity and carrier gas. An optional barcode reader records sample ID for reliable traceability. The HS-20 headspace sampler is also compliant with CFR 21 Part 11 through LabSolutions chromatography data system.

web: www.shimadzu.com

new Products Software The iAutomate™ from Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is a self-serve, freeto-use tool designed to reduce the time associated with configuring and trialing an automation set-up. Users can quickly and easily build their own system to meet application or process requirements, or modify an existing system around the Orbitor or Orbitor BenchTrak plate movers, a fully customizable plate mover. This allows for lab- or office-based access for automation optimization and efficient online estimating. When setting up a project, users have complete access to the product catalog through the software, which can be filtered, for example, by instrument type. Once chosen, all products will appear on the main screen and can be assembled via drag-and-drop functionality, where they will automatically snap into alignment around the Orbitor BenchTrak. This can be visualized in 2D or 3D, where a scale model can be inspected in detail from any angle.

web: www.thermoscientiﬁc.com/iautomate.

Light scattering detector Wyatt Technology Corporation will be launching the µDAWN™ at Pittcon 2014. The µDAWN is a multi-angle light scattering (MALS) detector that can be coupled to any UHPLC system in order to determine absolute molecular weights and sizes of polymers, peptides, and proteins or other biopolymers directly, without resorting to column calibration or reference standards. Wyatt Technology’s µDAWN connects to the Optilab® UT-rEX™, the first refractive index detector for UHPLC. Refractive index detection is a critical component of any UHPLC-SEC-MALS system, so the µDAWN plus UT-rEX equals a combination that transfers the many benefits of SEC-MALS analysis to the realm of UHPLC. In order to accommodate the narrow peaks produced by UHPLC separation, Wyatt Technology’s µDAWN engineers reduced the conventional light scattering flow cell volume from 63 µL to fewer than 10µL. More importantly, a remarkable improvement was achieved in minimizing interdetector mixing; the band broadening between the µDAWN MALS and Optilab UT-rEX detectors was brought to under 7 µL, while the band broadening between the UHPLC’s UV detector and the µDAWN detector is a mere 2 µL. As a consequence of the reduced cell volume and interdetector band broadening, a µDAWN/UT-rEX system can accurately analyze the molar mass and size of UHPLC peaks without loss of resolution. Further expanding the versatility of the µDAWN is the WyattQELS™ Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) module. This embedded accessory measures DLS in the µDAWN flow cell simultaneously with MALS acquisition, computing hydrodynamic radii “on-the-fly.” And finally, the µDAWN user experience is augmented by its colour touchscreen front panel display which shows the chromatographic conditions, instrument diagnostics, and much more.

web: www.wyatt.com

Powder Characterization Freeman Technology will be exhibiting the FT4 Powder Rheometer® at Pittcon 2014, a device that can be used in many industrial sectors, from pharmaceuticals to bulk powders. The system delivers data that support process and product understanding and the optimisation of powder processes. Particular benefits are seen in applications where traditional powder testing techniques have limitations. An example of this and a thriving area of interest is additive manufacture (AM) or 3D printing. The FT4 Powder Rheometer measures a range of bulk, shear and dynamic powder properties under conditions that reflect a diverse range of process environments. With seven standard test methods capable of measuring powders under consolidated, aerated and even fluidised conditions the FT4 Powder Rheometer allows comprehensive analysis of a number of critical process related powder parameters, such as flowability.

web: www.freemantech.co.uk

January/February 2014 Laboratory Focus www.laboratoryfocus.ca

new Products Cytometry System

Cytometer

EMD Millipore launches the guava easyCyte™ 12 flow cytometry system. The new platform consumes less sample, generates less waste and is easier to maintain than traditional systems. The guava easyCyte™ 12 flow cytometer uses three excitation lasers to provide up to 12 simultaneous detection parameters, including 10 fluorescent colors plus forward and side scatter for size and granularity determination. Single-sample and multi-sample processing options are offered, and high-throughput analysis is possible with robotic sample trays that automatically handle 96-well micro¬plates and up to 10 sample tubes. It is capable of detecting mammalian and micro¬bial cells and beads, and offers an intuitive interface. A sample of fluorescently labeled cells is aspirated into a microcapillary flow cell, which eliminates the need for sheath fluid and provides absolute cell counts. In addition, the flow cell is self-aligning and user-replaceable, reducing downtime and service visits.

web: www.emdmillipore.com/guava.

comPany & advertiser index COMPANY

PAGE

Molecular Devices® has released its next-generation SpectraMax® MiniMax™ 300 Imaging Cytometer enabling both cellular visualization and first-of-its-kind stain free cellbased analysis on the field-upgradable SpectraMax® i3 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader. Brightfield and fluorescence based green and red channel cellular image acquisition and analysis is made simple using the SoftMax Pro® software workflow. With two additional fluorescence detection channels researchers may now perform and analyze a wide range of cellular viability and cell toxicity assays, including ratiometric assays such as transfection efficiency. The SpectraMax i3 system comes with three integrated detection modes and a flexible design that enables a wide array of assay possibilities. The patented user-exchangeable cartridge design also expands the system’s detection capabilities with cartridges like the recently launched ScanLater™ Western Blot Detection System, which enables protein analysis on a plate reader. The SpectraMax i3 platform with MiniMax 300 Imaging Cytometer and ScanLater Western Blot System are all managed through SoftMax® Pro Data Acquisition and Analysis Software. The SpectraMax i3 System is also available for use in GMP and GLP labs when used with SoftMax® Pro 6 GxP Microplate Data Compliance Software.

web: www.moleculardevices.com/spectramax WEBSITE

aeterna Zentaris ............................... 6 .............................. www.aezsinc.com bioniche life sciences inc. .................. 6 ............................. www.bioniche.com caledon labs ................................... 6 .....................www.caledonlabs.com canadian society for chemical .................................................................... technology ....................................... 4 ...................... www.cheminst.ca/cct cole palmer...................................... 16 ........................ www.colepalmer.com eMd Millipore .................................. 15 ......................www.emdmillipore.com eppendorf ....................................... 20 ......................... www.eppendorf.ca Freeman technology .......................... 15 ....................www.freemantech.co.uk halifax biomedical inc. ........................ 6 .................www.halifaxbiomedical.com helix biopharma corp. ....................... 5 ................... www.helixbiopharma.com mandel ............................................ 5 ...............................www.mandel.ca metrohm canada ............................. 9 ......................www.metrohmca.com Molecular devices ............................ 16 ............... www.moleculardevices.com oven industries ................................ 16 .............................www.ovenind.com Panasonic ....................................... 19 ............www.twinguardseries.com promega corporation ........................ 15 ........................... www.promega.com Qu biologics inc. ................................ 5 ......................... www.qubiologics.com shimadzu scientific ........................... 15 .......................... www.shimadzu.com sirona biochem corp. ........................ 5 .................... www.sironabiochem.com stem cell therapeutics corp. .............. 6 .....................www.stemcellthera.com thermo scientific .............................. 15 ................ www.thermoscientific.com vwr ................................................ 2 ................................. www.vwr.com waters corporation .......................... 15 ............................. www.waters.com wyatt technology corporation ........... 15 ............................... www.wyatt.com

Peristaltic Pumps The new Ismatec® ICC 4-Channel 8-Roller Peristaltic Pump from Cole-Parmer is a four-channel peristaltic pump that lets users individually control the flow of each channel from the keypad or via computer. Each channel also offers bidirectional flow for even more versatility. The micropump delivers continuous pumping or precision dispensing up to 35 mL/min. Independent channel calibration minimizes tube-to-tube differences, resulting in high calibration accuracy. Easy-to-use tubing cassettes enable fast changeovers. The pump contains a USB interface for quick connections.

web: www.coleparmer.com

Temperature Controllers Oven Industries Inc. announces the launch of its new laboratory temperature controllers with ramp/soak capabilities. The 5R6-900 benchtop controller comes contained in an all in one enclosure and can be plugged into the wall as a self-contained temperature control system with its own power supply. The temperature controller can also be used universally, which allows the user to use the device wherever they are located. As a solid state MOSFET bidirectional compact unit featuring an internal power supply, it is also capable of loading currents up to 10A. The compact size, as well as the isolated communication port, makes using the 5R6-900 benchtop temperature controller a breeze. User-friendly and PC programmable, the electronic controller easily connects to a computer through the electrically isolated RS232 communications port. The computer can be utilized as a connector and the unit can stand alone, once the desired parameter settings are in place. These settings are kept in the non-volatile memory.

web: www.ovenind.com/

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MARCH 2014 March 2-6

January/February 2014

Calendar

Email: jeffw@aiche.org Web: www.aiche.org

June 16-19

PITTCON 2014 Drug Discovery & Therapy World Venue: Chicago, IL Congress 2014 Tel: 412-825-3220 Venue: Boston, MA Fax: 412-825-3224 Tel: 857-239-8855 Email: info@pittcon.org RC_lab_new:Layout 1 12/19/2012 10:01 AM Page 1 Email: info@ddtwc.com Twitter: @Pittcon Web: www.ddtwc.com/ Web: www.pittcon.org

March 10-12 Bio-Europe Spring 2014 Venue: Turin, Italy

March 26-28

globalbiotechcongress.com Web: www. globalbiotechcongress.com/

June 23-26

June 16-19

Bio International Convention Venue: San Diego, CA Tel: 202-962-6655 Web: convention.bio.org

Global Biotechnology Congress 2014 Venue: Boston, MA Tel: 857-239-8855 Email: info@

JULY 2014 July 13-15 Biotechnology & Human Health Symposium 2014 Venue: Charlottetown, PEI Tel: 902-367-4400 Email: jennifer@peibioalliance.com Web: www. biotechnologyandhumanhealth.com

GLOBE 2014 Venue: Vancouver, BC Tel: 604-695-5001 or 1-800-274-6097 (Toll Free) Fax: 604-695-5019 Email: info@globeseries.com Web: www.globeseries.com/

APRIL 2014 April 1-4 Analytica 2014 Venue: Munich, Germany Tel: 416-237-9939 Fax: 416-237-9920 Email: bmertens@ canada-unlimited.com Web: www.analytica.de or www.canada-unlimited.com/

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Bio-IT World Conference & Expo 2014 Venue: Boston, MA Tel: 781-972-5400 Fax: 781-972-5425 Email: chi@healthtech.com Web: www.bio-itworldexpo.com

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MAY 2014 May 15-16 International Conference of Control, Dynamic Systems and Robotics Venue: Ottawa, ON Email: info@cdsr.net Web: www.cdsr.net

May 29-31 Lab Medicine 2014 Venue: San Francisco, CA Tel: 801-583-2787 Ext. 2506 Email: karolynn.braden@ aruplab.com Web:www.aclps.org

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Laboratory Focus January/February 2014 www.laboratoryfocus.ca

the countdown to

Pittcon 2014 It is the must attend event of the year for us here at Laboratory Focus, and it’s only a month away. Organized by the Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy, Pittcon is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year in Chicago’s McCormick Place. Pittcon 2014 takes place March 2 to March 6, and will bring together more than 18,000 participants from 90 countries worldwide, including world-renowned scientists and experts. If you’ve never attended, here are some things you should know. For starters, one of the best things about Pittcon is the wide variety of industry sectors the conference covers. For example, it attracts attendees from industry, academia and government organizations, including lab managers, scientists, chemists, researchers and professors. Together, they represent an equally broad number of scientific disciplines, including agriculture, biomedical, biotechnology, bioterrorism, drug discovery, energy/fuel, environmental, food science, forensics, lab management, life science, nanotechnology, polymers/plastics, regulations, and water/wastewater. Next, if you’re a scientist or researcher looking for the latest innovations in laboratory equipment, it is an event that offers a lot for your viewing pleasure. Attending Pittcon gives you a unique opportunity to see what’s coming down the pipe in terms of cutting-edge products and innovations. By attending you get the opportunity to engage directly with new product and service instrument vendors, several of which actually launch new products and technologies at the event. In fact, every year a remarkable 50 per cent of exhibitors plan to launch their new products at this event. If you’re looking for more than just a new product showcase, another key component to Pittcon is its diverse technical program, including symposia, contributed and oral sessions, workshops, awards, and posters presented by world-renowned speakers. Additionally, the four-day expo will also feature skill-building and continuing education courses for laboratory professionals through its short course program. In fact, there are 28 new short courses being offered this year with topics such as regulations, spectroscopy, pharmaceutical, nanoparticles, wastewater microbiology, and a free course, Lab Manager Boot Camp, to name a few. Essentially there’s lots to do and see, and making things easier will be the free Pittcon 2014 mobile application for iOS and Android device users. It will be exciting to see all the new product launches, the deals and other news that will be coming out of the conference, and we’ll be sure to try out the mobile application too. Hope to see you there!

aPP review Science360

From National Science Foundation https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/science360-for-ipad/ id439928181?mt=8 Science360 is an iPad-only app that brings the wealth of informative and educational content from the U.S. government’s National Science Foundation (NSF) Science360 website to Apple’s tablet. This free app won’t be much use in the lab but it’s highly recommended for just about anyone with even a glancing interest in science as the editorial content from Science360 come from every science discipline with lots of high res photos and videos that are easily sharable to your social networking site of choice built within the app. So even though it won’t help at work, the wealth of content on it will keep you entertained at home.

SHIMADZU UV

From Shimadzu Business Systems Corporation https://itunes.apple.com/eg/app/shimadzu-uv/ id465021289?mt=8 SHIMADZU UV is an iOS app that’s been designed pretty much exclusively for professional scientists who work in a chemical lab and make use of UV-Vis spectrophotometers. One of the features that this app boasts is viewer that allows users to check a solvent’s a chemical and physical characteristics quickly. The solvent characteristics viewer displays information such as melting and boiling point value and the lower limit of the usable wavelength. The other key feature is a handy unit converter for five different categories: wave, distance, mass, pressure and angle. This is a free app and for what it lacks in the total number of features, it makes up in the quality.

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