New Products

crostructured conductive tips that can be integrated with continuous fl ow microfl uidic systems for the electrospinning of conductive polymer nanofi bers. Our conductive tips are typically fabricated by directly cutting polymer fi lms, which are subsequently coated with a conducting layer. This approach allows us to test different shapes and sizes and tailor the electrospinning tip to the particular polymer blend that we wish to electrospin. Carrier polymers that we use for electrospinning include polystyrene (PS), poly-ethylene oxide (PEO), and poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA) dissolved in different polar and non-polar solvents such as water, ethanol, chloroform, and toluene, among others. The ability to pair the electrospinning tip morphology with a variety of polymer and solvent combinations allows us to routinely produce fi bers with diameters smaller than 500 nm. Furthermore, the ability to collect the fi bers in static or rotating collector modes allows us to generate disordered non-woven mats or single aligned fi bers (Figure 2). Fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) are the main techniques our group utilizes in the characterization of the electrospun nanofi bers. Figure 2 shows a fl uorescence micrograph of a collection of 100-300 diameter photo-luminescent polyethylene oxide nanofi bers doped with two different fl uorophores. Our research aims at employing electrospinning as a simple and low-cost technique for the fabrication of functional polymeric nanostructures to be used as highly sensitive biosensors for lab-on-a-chip applications.

Conclusion and outlook

With the increasing demand for understanding more complex biological phenomena as well as the need for highly sensitive diagnostic techniques, micro and nanostructured materials will play a preponderant role in the study of biomolecular interactions and the development of novel sensing devices. On one hand, the development of high throughput and low-cost techniques to create more uniform and precisely controlled biomaterial micropatterns under aqueous conditions should expand the range of biological systems that can be studied and monitored in vitro. This will not only enhance our ability to study membrane and cell behavior under controlled environmental conditions, but should also expand the range of platforms available for diagnostics based on membrane-binding analytes and for the screening of drugs that target membrane associated proteins. On the other hand, the use of simple techniques for the fabrication of nanostructured bioactive surfaces should contribute to the development of architectures that exploit the high surface area and tailored functionality provided by electrospun nanofi bers, such as tissue engineering scaffolds, separation matrices, or highly sensitive electrodes.

References

1. Moran-Mirabal, J. M.; Edel, J.

B.; Meyer, G. D.; Throckmorton, D.; Singh, A. K.; Craighead, H. G. Biophysical journal 2005, 89, 296–305. 2. Wu, M.; Holowka, D.; Craighead, H. G.; Baird, B. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2004, 101, 13798. 3. Mossman, K.; Groves, J. Chemical Society Reviews 2007, 36, 46. 4. Fang, Y.; Frutos, A. G.; Lahiri, J. Journal of the American

Chemical Society 2002, 124, 2394–2395. 5. Zhou, X.; Moran-Mirabal, J.

M.; Craighead, H. G.; McEuen,

P. L. Nature Nanotech 2007, 2, 185–190. 6. Bally, M.; Bailey, K.; Sugihara, K.; Grieshaber, D.; Vörös,

J.; Städler, B. Small 2010, 6, 2481–2497. 7. Verbridge, S. S.; Parpia, J. M.;

Reichenbach, R. B.; Bellan, L.

M.; Craighead, H. G. Journal of Applied Physics 2006, 99, 124304. 8. Liu, H.; Reccius, C. H.; Craighead, H. G. Applied Physics

Letters 2005, 87, 253106. 9. Liu, H.; Kameoka, J.; Czaplewski, D. A.; Craighead, H. G. Nano

Letters 2004, 4, 671–675. 10. Li, D.; Herricks, T.; Xia, Y. Applied Physics Letters 2003, 83, 4586. 11. Moran-Mirabal, J. M.; Slinker,

J. D.; DeFranco, J. A.; Verbridge, S. S.; Ilic, R.; Flores-

Torres, S.; Abruña, H.; Malliaras, G. G.; Craighead, H. G.

Nano Lett 2007, 7, 458–463.

Yujie Zhu is a graduate student and Dr. Jose M. Moran-Mirabal is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at McMaster University.

Electrofusion

The Hybrimune® is the newest addition to the BTX line of electrofusion systems. The Hybrimune® is an advanced pulse generator capable of delivering variable AC pulse frequencies; utilizing patented technology to enhance the alignment of cells in large volumes up to nine mls in one run. Researchers performing monoclonal antibody production can achieve the highest effi ciencies in scalable throughputs (up to 180 million cells fused in milliseconds). Published data demonstrates that Hybrimune® technology can yield 10 to 20 times greater antigen plus specifi c clones compared to PEG. web: www.btxonline.com

Pumps

Supercritical Fluid Technologies, Inc. introduces the completely self-contained SFT-10 Liquid Carbon Dioxide Pump. The SFT-10 pump can pressurize carbon dioxide up to 10,000 psi (69 MPa) at fl ow rates from 0.01 to 24.0 mL/min. These characteristics make the SFT-10 an ideal pump for use in supercritical fl uid extraction as well as a variety of other high pressure applications, including supercritical fl uid reaction chemistry and chromatography. The SFT-10 utilizes reliable, dual sapphire syringe pump technology to achieve high pressures rapidly while its Peltier chiller has superior cooling capability. It maintains the temperature at the pump heads low enough to ensure the carbon dioxide remains liquid. The SFT-10 may be acquired as a stand alone CO2 pump or used as part of Supercritical Fluid Technologies’ SFT-100 / SFT-100XW Supercritical Fluid Extractors. web: www.supercriticalfl uids.com.

Titrator

JM Science’s AQUACOUNTER® Karl Fischer Volumetric Titrator (AQV-2200S) is rugged, reliable, long lasting and eco-friendly with small volume titration cells requiring only 20mL of titration solvent for accurate measurements. Less reagent volume reduces waste and makes it easy to replace fresh solvent for the next series of measurements. This unit comes with accessories kit and is ideal for users who have many kinds of samples to be analyzed or exchange KF reagents frequently or after each measurement. A two-channel option means easy plug-and-play. End-users can add various peripherals, such as a second channel, and the system recognizes the new channels and begins working with them immediately. Intuitive control panel display shows current status, data and function keys displayed on a large, colourful screen. Result data with curves can be viewed on your PC internet browsing program without optional software. Save and load parameters and results via USB fl ash memory. A built-in thermal printer is easy to load and has highresolution printouts. web: www.jmscience.com

New ProDuCTs

Columns

Phenomenex Inc introduces Yarra, a new family of aqueous size exclusion chromatography (SEC) columns for biomolecule analysis. Yarra columns are offered in three phases with 3-micron particles, and are ideal for the separation of small to large proteins and peptides, as well as biological therapeutics and biosimilars. Its proprietary hydrophilic surface chemistry ensures high resolution and minimal absorption of proteins for accurate quantitation. They are also highly reproducible, column-to-column and batchto-batch. The lifetime of Yarra columns can be further extended with the SecurityGuard column protection system. Phenomenex offers complete online application and method development and optimization support for the new product. web: www.phenomenex.com

Chambers

Sheldon Manufacturing, Inc. introduces the SHEL LAB Bactrox Chamber, the latest addition to its line of anaerobic chambers. The Bactrox is ideal for stem cell research, mammalian cancer research and clinical and research microbiology. It offers precise oxygen and carbon dioxide control from one to 20 per cent. Removal of cultures from the incubator does not require exposure of cells to undesirable oxygen or carbon dioxide levels. The unit’s advanced atmospheric controller allows for the use of a highly accurate and long-lasting zirconium dioxide oxygen sensor, with independent oxygen and carbon dioxide control and logging. The Bactrox also has a standalone 300 plate incubator so users can comfortably work without gloves in ambient room conditions. To minimize set-up time, the Bactrox includes an extra- large vacuum-less sample pass box that takes only 60 seconds to purge. The new design provides a vacuum-less sleeve entry into the chamber. Other features of this unit include temperature control and logging, superior condensation control, and ultra bright LED examination lights inside the chamber. web: www.shellab.com

High Throughput

Developed by Union Biometrica, Inc., the Copas Plus is suitable for highthroughput analysis and sorting of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPS) clusters using large particle flow cytometry. Union Biometrica’s large particle flow cytometers allow the analysis and sorting of intact hiPS cell clusters from a complex mixture based on size, optical density and fluorescent parameters. This process is gentle and does not influence the morphology or viability compared to manually sorted cell clusters. web: www.unionbio.com

Probes

Omega introduces its new pH and ORP differential probes that stay in service and provide accurate measurements under conditions that often render conventional pH probes inoperable. These probes feature integral 2-wire four to 20 mA transmitter, a built-in pre-amp that supports up to 914mm (3000’) sensor-toanalyzer distance, 4.6m (15’) standard cable length and automatic temperature compensation on pH versions. Applications include: process control, industrial and municipal water treatment, food and beverage, chemical processing, and mining and power generation. web: www.omega.ca

Filters

Sartorius introduces its new generation of sterilizing-grade filters with the launch of the Sartopore® Platinum.With the goal of offering better filtration performance and lower filtration costs, the membrane of the Sartopore® Platinum filter cartridges has been pleated using SSB’s newly developed, proprietary TwinPleat® process. The alternating long and short pleats of the membrane increase the filter area of a 10 inch cartridge by more than 60 per cent. At the same time, this geometry ensures that liquids flow through the entire filter area so that the filtration capacity of the cartridge is used to the fullest extent. As a result, Sartopore® Platinum filter cartridges substantially boost filtration performance and lower filtration costs. The new sterilizing-grade filter cartridges are available in a choice of different sizes and constructions ranging from lab to production scale. In all sizes, identical materials of construction with consistent performance characteristics are used. web: www.sartorius.com

Automation

Solentim introduces its new Cell Metric™ CLD bench top system for automated cell line development (CLD). Offering high resolution through cell imaging and analysis, the system offers an alternative approach to manually checking cell line monoclonality, and tracking of clones derived from single cells. The system also benefits from an automatic focus, ensuring that images are clear, consistent and informative. The Cell Metric CLD’s integrated, temperature-controlled microplate stacker allows for the automated imaging of a batch of up to 10 plates at a time, without consuming bench space. This increases throughput and reduces the need for user intervention during cell line development. With a throughput of up to 100 plates a day, the new stacker enables a substantial number of wells to be imaged and documented. web: www.solentim.com

ComPaNy & aDverTiser iNDex

CoMPANY PAGE WEBSiTE

Biotecanada..................................... 5.................................www.biotech.ca BtX ................................................. 15...........................www.btxonline.com Caledon labs ................................... 5.....................www.caledonlabs.com canada foundation for innovation........ 4.............................www.innovation.ca Canadian society for................................................................................... Chemical Technology........................ 4...............www.cehminst.ca/profdev canadian society for ..................................................................................... medical laboratory science................ 3................................. www.csmls.org cangene corporation ......................... 5.............................www.cangene.com Children’s miracle Network............ 13..www.childrensmiraclenetwork.ca encycle therapeutics.......................... 2...................www.marsinnovation.com eppendorf....................................... 20...................... www.eppendorf.com mars innovation ............................... 2...................www.marsinnovation.com miele Professional........................... 9.............. www.mieleprofessional.ca omega............................................. 16.................................www.omega.ca ontario Brain institute ....................... 4........................www.braininstitute.ca pfizer canada .................................... 4....................................www.pfizer.ca phenomenex..................................... 16......................www.phenomenex.com sanofi pasteur ltd............................1,3 ...................... www.sanofipasteur.ca sheldon manufacturing inc. ............... 16..............................www.shellab.com supercritical fluid technologies .......... 15.............. www.supercriticalfluids.com vwr ................................................ 2................................. www.vwr.com wyvern scientific ........................... 11...................... www.wyvernsci.com