Laboratory Focus May 2010

PHARMACEUTICAL

CLINICAL

CHEMICAL

FOOD

w w w. b i o s c i e n c e w o r l d . c a

MAY 2010 Volume 14, Number 3

Chromatography vials

Design of experiments

Page 8

Process

The importance of pre cleaning

Optimizing Pharmaceutical Coating

Page 10

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R&D News.......................... 1 Appointments..................... 6 Pharma Notes..................... 7 New Products................... 14 Calendar........................... 17 Career Spotlight............... 18

million to enable researchers in Argentina, Costa Rica, Kenya, Peru and South Africa to collaborate with the barcoding project.

Another project funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation will use $18 million to start the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, which will serve as iBOL’s scientific hub, at the University of Guelph. Groundbreaking for the new centre will take place this summer. The facility will house the iBOL Secretariat and key infrastructure needed to support iBOL research. The centre will be completed in the fall of 2011.

Dr. Paul Hebert also announced that the official activation of iBOL will be celebrated at an event in Nagoya, Japan, on October 24, 2010 during the 10th Conference Artist rendering of the Centre of Biodiversity of Parties (COP10) to the UN Genomics.Photo provided by iBOL Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Leaders of iBOL and the CBD Secretariat will use this occasion to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation which establishes a framework for future collaboration between the two organizations. the Natural Sciences and Engineerin addition to its earlier $5 million The iBOL project spans 26 couning Research Council of Canada, award, to enable expansion of the tries and involves obtaining DNA and the International Development informatics platform for the DNA barcode records and building an Research Centre. barcode data. informatics platform to store and Genome Canada said that its The Natural Sciences Engineering share all of this data.

2010 budget of $75 million includes Research Council of Canada has The project’s participants aim to $4.6 million set aside for iBOL. The awarded $1.2 million for new DNA gather DNA barcode records for Ontario Ministry of Research and barcoding research programs, and five million specimens taken from Innovation plans to give iBOL $8.1 Canada’s International Development 500,000 species, and to deliver an million over the next five years, Research Centre has provided $2.2 effective identification system for species that are commonly encountered by humans.

The effort also is expected to create a foundation for the creation of a barcode reference library of Christian Burks, OGI Dr. Paul Hebert all life.

INTERNATIONAL BARCODE OF LIFE PROJECT GETS MAJOR FUNDING BOOST IN LEAD-UP TO OFFICIAL LAUNCH The Canada-led International Barcode of Life (iBOL) project has received pledges for new support totaling $35 million from its major supporters, which raises its total support to $80 million.

The supporters include the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, Genome Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation,

ENVIRONMENT

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NEWS

GENOME CANADA PLOTS $75M 2010 BUDGET Genome Canada announces it plans to use the $75 million in funding it will receive under Canada’s 2010 budget to support the purchase of new technologies and a wide array of research efforts, which LabFocus.fisherbrand.Dec09.pdf will emphasize forestry, the environment, human health

and agriculture.

Canada’s leading genomics funding organization also decided at its March board meeting to allot $15 million for its science and technology innovation centres, which will 12/11/09 9:09:53 AM provide new technologies, expertise, and infrastructure

to researchers in academia and industry.

When added to the $9 million in existing funding, this appropriation gives the S&T Innovation Centres a total of $24 million.

Much of the funding, up to $60 million, will be used for

open and targeted project competitions that “will emphasize a high potential for economic return,” the agency said. The competition money will give at least $30 million for targeted forestry and enviContinued on page 3

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NEWS Continued from page 2 ronmental research and up to $30 million to support strategic areas such as agriculture, fisheries, and human health.

Genome Canada’s board also approved up to $4.6 million to support the International Barcode of Life Project, led by the University of Guelph, which will keep the program funded through July 2011.

Genome Canada said that the investment “came at an opportune time as it will allow growth when international competition in this area is extremely high, genomics technology is at a key inflection point, and discoveries in the areas of genomics and genetics are happening at an increased rate resulting in enhanced opportunities for commercial conversion.”

Genome Canada received no funding in the federal 2009 budget, which was impacted by the global financial crisis. The organization received approximately $140 million in 2008 and $100 million in 2007.

RESEARCH REVEALS CHEMICAL PFO(A) IS AIRBORNE

Dr. David Ellis Research by Trent University chemistry professor Dr. David Ellis has potentially proven that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFO(A)), a toxic, anthropogenic chemical, is being transported through the air, thereby making it a much greater threat to humans and

ALLON SHOWS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN SCHIZOPHRENIA IMAGING STUDY

Allon Therapeutics Inc. has released results from an imaging study of schizophrenia patients showing that 12 weeks of treatment with its lead neuroprotective drug candidate davunetide resulted in a significant increase in levels of a biomarker that is an indicator of brain cell health.

Increased levels of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) were measured in the brains of the schizophrenia patients treated with davunetide using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The scientific literature shows that NAA is an informative biomarker because

decreased levels of NAA occur in schizophrenia and in numerous other neurodegenerative conditions such as brain injury, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease.

The study specifically measured NAA from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain known to be affected in schizophrenia patients. These results were obtained with davunetide doses already known to be active in human clinical trials and appear to correlate with the davunetide-dependent behavioural outcomes in these same patients.

the environment than previously thought.

PFO(A) is indefinitely persistent in the environment and has been detected in industrial waste, stain resistant carpets and clothing, carpet cleaning liquids, house dust, microwave popcorn

bags, water, food and nonstick cookware. Environment Canada, Health Canada and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US have been investigating PFO(A) because it is persistent in the environment and has potentially adverse effects. It is a toxicant and carcinogen in animals. In people, it is detected in the blood of general populations in the low parts per billion range where studies have associated it with infertility, higher cholesterol, and thyroid disease. In highly exposed animals, some studies have associated PFO(A) exposure with birth defects, increased cancer rates, and changes to the immune system and liver.

Previously, the scientific community believed that PFO(A) generally stayed in the areas where the chemical was created, in urban centres, or traveled in water where it was subject

to slow movement due to ocean currents. Dr Ellis’ research, however, shows that PFO(A) is actually being emitted out of the lakes and oceans and into the air, thereby having the ability to travel much faster and much more freely. The mathematical models developed as a part of this work allowed Dr Ellis to test his theories and the previously existing theories against real world observations.

“In reality, we have discovered that the action of wave breaking liberates the chemical into air, making the dissemination equivalent to something like a smoke stack,” Dr Ellis says.

Dr Ellis’s research, which was undertaken in the labs at Trent University, is being published in three major papers in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, a leading international, peer-reviewed journal, in April/May 2010.

CFI AND NRC APPOINT NEW PRESIDENTS New presidents have been named for both the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC).

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, Interim Board chair of CFI, announced the appointment of Dr. Gilles G. Patry as the fourth president and CEO of the CFI. Dr. Patry succeeds the current president and CEO, Dr. Eliot A. Phillipson, who announced last year that he would be stepping down on June 30, 2010.

Dr. Gilles G. Patry “The CFI Board was unanimous in its selecgovernment at all levels.” tion,” said Dr. Cannon. “Dr. Dr. Patry will begin his Patry brings a strong comnew responsibilities at the mitment and passion for CFI as of July 1, 2010. Dr advancing the nation’s sciPatry is professor of civil enence and technology agengineering at the University da. He is an accomplished of Ottawa with a joint apresearcher, a highly sucpointment in the School of cessful entrepreneur and Information Technology and understands, as a former Engineering. He was presiuniversity administrator and dent and vice-chancellor leader, how to work with of the University of Ottawa

from 2001 to 2008. He holds a PhD from the University of California at Davis in environmental engineering.

Additionally, the Government of Canada appointed John McDougall as the new president of the NRC, and he has already assumed his position.

He succeeds Dr. Pierre Coulombe, whose fiveyear term as president ended in February.

Until recently, McDougall served as president and CEO of the Alberta Research Council (ARC). Over the course of his 12 year tenure at ARC, the organization evolved into a strong national and international leader, delivering and aligning science and technology solutions to industry’s needs. In addition, he founded and served as senior executive of the DALCOR companies from 1976 to 1998.

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May 2010 Laboratory Focus www.bioscienceworld.ca

NEWS

ONCOGENEX DRUG CANDIDATE BOLSTERED BY PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH

OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals Inc. announces that two peer-reviewed manuscripts have been published that provide additional insight into the function of Heat Shock Protein 27 (Hsp27) and its role in promoting tumour resistance to cancer treatment.

OncoGenex’s drug candidate OGX-427 is designed to reduce levels of Hsp27, a protein that is over-produced in response to many cancer treatments including hormone ablation therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Two



recently published peer-reviewed manuscripts describe the signalling pathways by which Hsp27 mediates tumour cell survival, providing additional rationale for inhibiting Hsp27 as a therapeutic approach for cancer treatment.

In a manuscript published in Cancer Research, researchers define the links between Hsp27 phosphorylation and Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signalling in prostate cancer. IGF-1 is a well documented stimulator of cell growth and proliferation, and a potent inhibitor of programmed cell death.

In a separate manuscript published in Oncogene, researchers identify a mechanism by which changes in Hsp27 expression serve as an upstream regulator of eIF4E, a key regulator for protein synthesis.

By chaperoning eIF4E, Hsp27 protects the protein synthesis initiation process to enhance cell survival during cell stress induced by castration or chemotherapy.

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Registration fees

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$150 students members For more information about the course and locations, and to access the registration form, visit:

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he Chemical Institute of Canada and the Canadian Society for Chemical technology are presenting a two-day course designed to enhance the knowledge and working experience of chemical technologists and chemists. All course participants receive the CIC’s Laboratory Health and Safety Guidelines, 4th edition.

This course is intended for those whose responsibilities include improving the operational safety of chemical laboratories, managing laboratories, chemical plants or research facilities, conducting safety audits of laboratories and chemical plants. During the course, participants are provided with an integrated overview of current best practices in laboratory safety.

Canadian Society for Chemical Technology

NANOSTRING LAUNCHES miRNA EXPRESSION ASSAYS NanoString Technologies has unveiled a new product for microRNA analysis that uses multiplex digital barcode technology to profile the human miRNA transcriptome in a single tube.

The new human miRNA expression assay kit is based on the same digital barcoding technology that forms the foundation of NanoString’s gene expression CodeSets and, as such, can be run on the company’s nCounter prep station and digital analyzer.

The company’s gene expression codesets are pairs of approximately 50-base probes that hybridize and are used to detect and count mRNA transcripts. The nCounter digital analyzer collects data from multiple probe complexes, each one immobilized in colour-coded cartridges.

According to NanoString, the technology can detect and count hundreds of gene transcripts simultaneously with a sensitivity of less than one copy per cell. As such, the company has been positioning the nCounter gene expression assays as bridging a gap between qPCR and microarrays. NanoString is also touting the simplicity of the miRNA expression assays because they are only slightly modified versions of the already proven mRNA assay kits.

In addition, NanoString disclosed that researchers from the University Health Network in Toronto, the Mayo Clinic, Ohio State University, and Uni-

versity of Miami School of Medicine are among the early-access customers who have been using the product ahead of its commercial launch.

The assay kits enable researchers to perform highly multiplexed, direct digital detection and counting of miRNAs at single-base resolution without the need for PCR amplification.

Further, researchers can profile more than 700 human and human-viral miRNAs with specificity and sensitivity comparable to qPCR at a fraction of the cost, the company said.

NanoString unveiled the new kits at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting in Washington, DC.

STEM CELL THERAPEUTICS ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF PHASE IIA STROKE DATA Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. announces the paper entitled “The BetahCG + Erythropoietin in Acute Stroke (BETAS) Study” has been accepted to run in the journal Stroke.

This paper was authored by Dr. Steven C. Cramer, from the University of California, Irvine; Dr. David Brown at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, New Port Beach; Dr. Michael D. Hill of Foothills Hospital at the University of Calgary and colleagues.

“The Stroke journal is the top journal in the field of stroke research.

Stem Cell Therapeutics is pleased to congratulate Drs. Steven C. Cramer, David Brown and Michael Hill for their efforts, acceptance and successful publication of this novel

study by this highly respected, peer reviewed journal. Previously this work has only appeared in abstracts,” commented Dr. Allen Davidoff, Stem Cell’s vice president, product development.

The BETAS study was designed as an open label trial to provide the first evidence that NTx®-265 could be safely administered to patients with acute ischemic stroke. The study found that NTx®265 appeared to be safe and patients showed improved clinical outcomes compared to published data on similar untreated stroke patients as well as a trend towards reduced infarct volumes over time in comparison to data previously described elsewhere.

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Laboratory Focus May 2010

NEWS CHUS BIOCHEMISTRY AND HEMATOLOGY LABORATORIES ACQUIRE STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY

INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS BRIDGING PROGRAMS GOOD FOR CANADA self-identified IEMLTs through immigration annually. The practice of medical laboratory science varies across the globe, and it is a requirement that all practitioners in Canada meet the rigorous entry to practice requirement, putting patient safety first at all times.

A system that allows for additional training or practice in the Canadian context, that is accessible, affordable and reliable is imperative.”

www.caledonlabs.com

A recent report produced by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) offers the first clear evidence that sustained government funding of bridging programs for internationally educated medical laboratory technologists (IEMLTs) is good fiscal policy.

The report, “Bridging Programs for Internationally Educated Medical Laboratory Technologists: A Business Case,” was funded by the Government of Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program. Researched by the Centre for Spatial Economics and authored by Dr. Moira Grant, CSMLS director of Research, the report concluded that bridging programs shorten the time for IEMLTs to become certified in Canada, decrease their financial hardships and expedite their integration into the Canadian laboratory workplace. As a result, IEMLTs contribute to the Canadian economy much sooner with the support of a bridging program.

Christine Nielsen, executive director, CSMLS, states that, “there is a growing shortage of medical laboratory technologists in Canada, and we consistently receive about 600

CSMLS is the national certifying body for MLTs and medical laboratory assistants and the national professional society for Canada’s medical laboratory professionals. With the exception of Quebec, MLTs across Canada require CSMLS certification as a condition of licensure.

Tania Toffner, director of certification and prior learning assessment says, “CSMLS conducts a prior learning as-

Sherbrooke’s University Hospital (Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke - CHUS) recently modernized its biochemistry and hematology laboratories.

“This laboratory automation project, representing investments of $3.5M in equipment and renovation, was accomplished in partnership with Roche Diagnostics and Sysmex.

It allows the CHUS to improve its performance and to shorten response and results turnaround time through the standardization of all testing procedures.

Patients will get the most benefits from this modernization, as our services are now faster and safer”, said the CHUS general manager, Patricia Gauthier.

Roche Diagnostics was entrusted with the responsibility for laboratory set-up sessment (PLA) to evaluate the credentials and work experience of IEMLTs to determine if they are eligible to write the CSMLS national certification examination. Over 90 per cent of the more than 300 IEMLTs who apply annually to the PLA process are not equivalent to the Canadian standards.”

CSMLS provides IEMLTs with a learning plan and courses to help them address the knowledge gaps

and renovations, as well as new technology acquisition.

Roche made a commitment to provide the equipment offering the best available performance and throughput in a context of qualified labour shortage.

The new automated equipment integrates all analysis procedures and steps, and ensures their uninterrupted flow. Samples go from centrifuging (separation of solid particles in suspension in a liquid), to aliquoting (division of a sample into several portions), to analysis and results compiling without ever being touched by an operator. The robotized system manages the various tests to be run for a given patient out of a single test tube, which reduces significantly the amount of blood that is required. in order to write the exam.

Since 2000, approximately 750 IEMLTs have been certified by CSMLS. The report concluded that supporting IEMLTs through a government subsidized bridging program addresses both health care resource challenges and the need for equitable treatment of newcomer professionals to Canada with expectation of employment in their profession.

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May 2010 Laboratory Focus www.bioscienceworld.ca

APPOINTMENTS

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) announces the appointment of Dr. Albert Friesen to the CFI Board of Directors.

Albert D. Friesen holds a Ph.D. in protein chemistry from the University of Manitoba. He has been

Dr. Albert Friesen instrumental in the founding and development of several health industry companies, including Apotex Fermentation, and the development of Canada’s first biotech product, WinRho. Dr. Friesen is a founder of BIOTECanada. He is currently president and CEO of Medicure Inc. and president of Genesys Venture Inc. Dr. Friesen led the establishment of CentreStone Venture Partners, a $22 million life sciences fund based in Winnipeg, and currently serves on the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council.

Hamilton Thorne Ltd. announces the appointment of Michelle Lyles, Ph.D., to the role of vice president of Sales. Lyles will be responsible for managing Hamilton Thorne’s worldwide sales initiatives and

will oversee the company’s sales team and distributor relationships.

“Dr. Lyles’ experience in product positioning and marketing novel technologies to the life science research market and her track record in leading successful sales teams will greatly expand the reach of Hamilton Thorne,” says Meg Spencer, chairman and CEO of Hamilton Thorne. Dr. Lyles brings more than 15 years of experience in progressively senior Sales and Marketing roles for life science research companies. Most recently, she was vice president of Marketing and Sales at febit, inc, a developer of automated solutions for enabling biochip applications in Life Sciences.

OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has appointed Dr. Jack Goldstein and Ms. H. Stewart Parker to its board of directors. In addition, Dr. Martin Mattingly has agreed to stand for election at the company’s

H. Stewart Parker upcoming Annual General Meeting. Dr. Goldstein joins the board as chairman. The new board members

add substantial pharmaceutical industry experience as former chief executive officers, presidents and/or directors for several pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Goldstein served as president and chief operating officer of Chiron Corporation until its acquisition by Novartis in April 2006. H. Stewart Parker served as president, chief executive officer and director of Targeted Genetics Corporation, a position she held since managing its formation and spinout from Immunex Corporation in 1992. Martin A. Mattingly, Pharm.D., is the chief executive officer and member of the board of directors of Trimeris, Inc. Martin most recently served as president and chief executive officer at Ambrx, Inc. DiagnoCure, Inc. has appointed Valerie Palmieri as president of DiagnoCure Oncology Laboratories, the U.S. subsidiary of DiagnoCure, Inc. Palmieri brings to DiagnoCure more than 25 years of experience in the laboratory industry, including executive positions responsible for laboratory services, business strategic planning, cost management, quality, customer retention and operations management.

Palmieri held several executive positions at DIANON Systems and Laboratory Corporation of America.

While leading operations for the anatomic pathology, genetics and esoteric clinical pathology businesses, she played an instrumental role in driving growth and optimizing profitability. In other executive positions, she led implementation of a company-wide customer retention program, successfully inte-

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Valerie Palmieri

grated two major acquisitions, and launched several new diagnostic services and products. For the past year, Palmieri served as a consultant with Momentum Consulting, which specializes in healthcare solutions.

Stellar Pharmaceuticals Inc. announces that Steven H. Goldman has rejoined its Board of Directors.

Steven H. Goldman

Goldman is an accomplished lawyer, business leader and currently a partner in the Toronto law firm of Goldman Hine LLP. Before joining that firm, he successfully led the restructuring and turnaround of the Speedy Auto Service and Minute Muffler franchise systems as their president and CEO from December 2007 until December 2009. Peter Riehl, Stellar’s president and chief executive officer, commented, “We are very pleased to have Steven rejoin our Board and Audit Committee at this important time in our company’s development. His great business accomplishments, combined with his senior legal experience, will be a tremendous asset to Stellar as we work toward building our Canadian business and expanding the global licensing of Uracyst® and NeoVisc®.”

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Laboratory Focus May 2010

PHARMA NOTES YM BioSciences Inc. (Mississauga, ON) announces it has received ethics board approval to expand enrolment in its Phase I/II clinical trial of CYT387 in patients with myelofibrosis.

Phase II efficacy data for CYT387 were originally anticipated in the second half of 2011, however the evident safety and preliminary efficacy observed to date support early expansion and should allow conclusion of the study three to six months earlier. CYT387 is a potent inhibitor of the kinase enzymes JAK1 and JAK2, which have been implicated in a family of hematological conditions known as myeloproliferative neoplasms, including myelofibrosis.

Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (Calgary, AB) has completed patient enrolment in its modified Phase IIb stroke trial and will analyze the data as they become available. Using a modified statistical approach the company will analyze its trial data using the 96 patients who were enrolled. With the modified Phase IIb stroke trial closed, the company anticipates to complete patient 90-day endpoint assessments with data analysis to follow soon after.

Paladin Labs Inc. (Montreal, QC) announces Health Canada has approved its next generation extended-cycle oral contraceptive, Seasonique. Under the Seasonique extended-cycle regimen, women take active tablets of 0.15 mg levonorgestrel/0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol for 84 consecutive days, followed by seven days of a low dose of ethinyl estradiol (0.01 mg). The regimen is designed to reduce the number of withdrawal bleeding periods from 13 to four periods per year. Æterna Zentaris Inc. (Quebec City, QC) has initiated its Phase III registration clinical trial with perifosine (KRX-0401), the company’s oral anti-cancer agent that inhibits AKT activation in the PI3K pathway, for the treatment of refractory advanced colorectal cancer. The trial is sponsored and conducted by Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Æterna Zentaris’ partner and licensee for perifosine in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Enrolment is expected to take approximately 12 to 14 months, with study completion expected in the second half of 2011.

Vaccine development company, Immunovaccine Inc.(Halifax, NS) has signed a collaborative agreement with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a principal teaching affiliate of the Harvard Medical School. The research collaboration involves formulating Dana-Farber’s HIV protein antigens in Immunovaccine’s DepoVax™ vaccine enhancement and delivery platform. The goal of this

preclinical research is to establish whether this novel vaccine formulation will induce a stronger immune response.

Cannasat Therapeutics Inc. (Toronto, ON) announces it received shareholder approval to change its corporate name to Cynapsus Therapeutics Inc. The approval was granted at the

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company’s annual general shareholder meeting held in Toronto.

The company’s stock symbol will remain as “CTH” on the TSX Venture Exchange. The company has a new logo and corporate identity and will be updating its web site to keep its investors and partners up to date on the progress of its drug development programs.

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May 2010 Laboratory Focus www.bioscienceworld.ca

FEATURE

BY LOY SHICK, TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER, THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRE-CLEANED

CHROMATOGRAPHY

VIALS

MASS SPECTROMETRY is a powerful analytical technique commonly coupled with differing chromatography methods for sample separation. Since it is increasingly being adapted for more diverse applications, contamination issues affecting sensitivity and reproducibility must always be considered.

Advances in GC practice, such as employing on-column injection, and newer techniques employing finely packed HPLC columns, require the elimination of as much particulate matter as possible from the sample stream. The quality of sample vials used can potentially compromise final analysis and this provides a compelling case for the use of chromatography vials which are cleaned to remove trace level contaminants and tested as standard. This article investigates the effectiveness of the industry’s first pre-cleaned chromatography vials, the new National Scientific Mass Spec Certified Vials from Thermo Fisher Scientific for highly sensitive applications where chromatography is coupled with mass spectrometry.

Table 1 VIAL Competitor Vials Nat Scientific Vials

maceutical industry in areas of drug discovery, combinatorial chemistry, pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism. It is also used in the environmental industry for monitoring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), water quality, and food contamination; and in the geological industry for investigating oil composition. In addition, mass spectrometry is proving ever more versatile in the clinical setting for neonatal screening, hemoglobin analysis, drug and other analyte testing, proteomics, and biomarker analysis.

Chromatographers have always depended on high temperature glass forming

Figure 1

LC/MS background scan, positive electrospray ionization.

Blank

Relative Abundance

Detection of compounds can be accomplished with very minute quantities in mass spectrometry. This means that compounds can be identified at very low concentrations, down to the femtogram level, in chemically complex mixtures.

Advances in sample separation techniques and materials have greatly improved the reliability, sensitivity, precision and accuracy of mass spectrometry, expanding its versatility and application base.

Mass spectrometry, therefore, now provides valuable information in biotechnology, for example, on the analysis of proteins, peptides and oligonucleotides; and in the phar-

National Scientific Mass Spec Vials

Relative Abundance

Introduction

Typical Cumulative Particle Counts. ≥0.1µm

≥0.15µm ≥0.2µm

≥0.3µm

≥0.5µm

≥2.0µm

≥5µm

≥10µm

≥15µm

5,677

3,809

2,755

1,709

1,051

307

76

4

0

356

264

218

192

176

160

45

8

3

Conditions: Positive ESI 100 to 1000m/z 1.51e5

methods to burn off organic contaminants in a vial that might be detected by instrumentation during analysis. Residual compounds that might survive the glass forming process were either not detected by traditional chromatography techniques, or were present in concentrations too low to affect separation and analysis. Re-

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Laboratory Focus May 2010

FEATURE LC/MS background scan, negative electrospray ionization.

Blank

Relative Abundance

Figure 2

Relative Abundance

National Scientific Mass Spec Vials

Figure 3

Conditions: Negative ESI 100 to 1000m/z 4.45e6

GC/MS background scan, positive electrospray ionization.

%

True Blank

%

National Scientific Mass Spec Vials

Figure 4

Conditions: RT: 10.0-20.00 AV: 2416 NL: 3.80E5 T: +c Full MS [50.00-650.00]

GC/MS background scan, TIC. True Blank

True Blank

%

Test Vial

Conditions: RT: 10.0-20.00 NL: 2.00E7 TIC MS

%

National Scientific Mass Spec Vials

cent advances in instrument construction and separation techniques, however, have resulted in cases where high temperature glass forming procedures cannot guarantee the production of a vial with no detectable background.

The presence of inorganic sub micron particles in all glass vials as a byproduct of the manufacturing process is a phenomenon that has not been extensively studied.

Gas chromatographers depend on injection port liners

to act as traps for particulates while the HPLC chromatographer takes extensive steps to eliminate them during sample preparation or trap them with guard columns. This has been an effective strategy for routine analytical methods,

but the need to work with ever lower concentrations of analytes creates the possibility of interactions with compounds of interest. As chromatographic instruments and techniques continue to advance, it can be seen that an unprocessed sample vial can potentially limit the ability to produce reliable results.

Low Particulate Background It has therefore become apparent that pre-cleaned vials are now required for today’s highly sensitive hyphenated techniques. As a result, the industry’s first pre-cleaned chromatography vials, National Scientific Mass Spec Vials, undergo a proprietary cleaning process, in a GMP compliant, fully validated clean room environment, which greatly reduces the background contaminants and their potential effect on high sensitivity chromatography. These certified mass spec vials undergo additional processing to remove trace artifacts introduced by manufacturing methods. Each production lot is then tested for particle counts, LC/MS and GC/MS background, according to a sampling plan designed to assure consistently superior performance from every vial. After processing, the vials are immediately packed into pre-cleaned, inert vial trays. Ultra high purity bonded PTFE/Silicone closures are packaged in an airtight, resealable container to further reduce the possibility of contamination. A series of studies have been undertaken to evaluate and verify the effectiveness of these precleaned vials.

In the first study, particulate analysis of a typical unprocessed vial compared to the National Scientific Certified Mass Spec vials was carried out. All National Scientific Mass Spec Vials were processed and tested for background particulates. Table 1 shows the processed vial to have a significant reduction in total particle counts. A typical vial that has not been processed can exhibit particle counts exceeding 5000 particles per mL, with the highest counts occurring in the range below 0.5μm. This has traditionally been of little concern when GC inlet liners or HPLC

guard columns are used.

However, GC techniques employing on-column injection create the need for a sample vial with minimal background particulates in order to prevent an accumulation of foreign material at the head of the column that might adversely affect a separation.

Similarly, newer techniques employing finely packed HPLC columns, capillary columns and direct connection of the analytical column to the sample valve also require the elimination of as much particulate matter as possible from the sample stream.

Low LC/MS Background In order to further investigate the effectiveness of processed vials, samples of pre-cleaned Mass Spec vials and closures were exposed to acetonitrile at room temperature for two hours. Potential non-volatile organic compounds were determined using LC/UV and LC/MS with several different ionization techniques: positive electrospray, negative electrospray and positive atmospheric pressure ionization (APCI).

Additional testing was conducted on samples exposed to acetonitrile for two hours at a temperature of 50°C to determine the effect of severe operating conditions.

The results of the room temperature and 50°C appeared essentially the same, indicating that the background contribution from the processed vials is minimal over a wide range of conditions.

Typical background scans for the room temperature exposure are shown in figures 1 and 2 using positive electrospray and negative electrospray ionization respectively.

The top scan in each figure is the result of injecting the pure blank extracting solvent without exposure to glassware other than the original shipping container. The second scan for each figure represents an injection of an equal quantity of the extracting solvent after exposure to the pre-cleaned sample vial.

Low GC/MS Background A portion of the vial extracts prepared for LC/MS analysis was also taken for analysis Continued on page 16

10

May 2010 Laboratory Focus www.bioscienceworld.ca

FEATURE

BY JERRY FIREMAN

DESIGN OF EXPERIMENTS HELPS OPTIMIZE

Pharmaceutical Coating Process

UPSHER-SMITH LABORATORIES FACED A PROBLEM with a fluid bed coating process that produced inconsistent results. Many of the coating parameters interacted with each other, so conventional one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) experiments were unable to resolve the issue. Sarah Betterman, scientist for Upsher-Smith, used design of experiments (DOE) to determine how the key coating process parameters affect dissolution, the critical response. The designed experiment explained the inconsistency of the original process by showing that slight variations in atomization air volume, at those conditions, would have a large impact on dissolution. It recommended several scenarios with the potential to provide consistent coating performance. Upsher-Smith tested the three scenarios. They identified one that is consistently delivering results within specifications in production.

Coating of a particulate using the Fluid Bed Wűrster HS™ Coating System involves repetitive movement of particles through an atomized spray region. During each cycle the particles are sprayed with a coating solution and then dried. Mass and heat are transferred between the three different phases involved in the operation – solid particles, liquid coating solution and gas jets. The complexity of the process is increased by the zones with high and low particle concentrations as well as high and low velocities. For example, too much atomization leads to premature drying of the coating material while too little may lead to over wetting and agglomeration. As a result, many coupled parameters affect the coating process.

Table 1

Experimental design

Factor 1 Std Run A: Product Temp deg C 1

Figure 2

Factor 2 B: Spray Rate g/min

Factor 3 C: Atomization Air Vol cfm

-

0

10

-

2

4

+

-

0

3

16

-

+

0

4

2

+

+

0

5

6

-

0

0

6

1

+

0

0

7

5

-

0

+

8

3

+

0

+

9

11

0

-

-

10

12

0

+

-

11

13

0

-

+

12

15

0

+

+

13

8

0

0

0

14

9

0

0

0

15

7

0

0

0

16

14

0

0

0

Contour plot for dissolution time point 1 with C at low level

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12

May 2010 Laboratory Focus www.bioscienceworld.ca

FEATURE Figure 3

Contour plot for dissolution time point 1 with C at middle level

Figure 4

3D surface plot for dissolution point 1 with C at high level

Figure 5

Contour plot for dissolution point 1 with C at high level

lems, not to become immersed in statistics,” Betterman said. “That’s why I decided it was worth making a small investment in a software package that is designed specifically to apply DOE in an industrial setting. DesignExpert® software (from Stat-Ease, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota) provides a full range of experimental designs and statistical analysis behind a very simple user interface. So I can spend my time running experiments and interpreting the results rather than crunching numbers.”

Design of Box-Behnken experiment Betterman identified three factors that had historically been demonstrated to have the most impact on dissolution. They included: A. Product temperature B. Spray rate C. Atomization air volume

Initial coating parameters provided inconsistent results Upsher-Smith developed a commercial-scale manufacturing process for a new product based on a limited number of batches. As the company made more batches, inconsistencies appeared during the scale-up process. Betterman, who leads an initiative to implement DOE at the company, identified the application as well-suited for DOE because of the large number of factors involved and their complex interactions. “It would

take forever to try and optimize this operation using one-factor-at-a-time experiments because every time you changed a factor, you would have to re-optimize all of the other factors,” Betterman said. “Design of experiments examines all of the variables simultaneously so it enabled us to identify the optimum values for the factors much more quickly. At the same time, we captured information that gives us a better understanding of how the factors interact.”

“The goal of DOE is to solve prob-

The responses were product dissolution as measured at five different time points. The dissolution was measured by immersing the product in dissolution media and quantifying the amount of the active ingredient

that has been dissolved at each time point.

Betterman selected a Box-Behnken design, a response surface method (RSM) well suited to the goal of process optimization. The software developed a 16-run design which included 12 combinations of the factors plus four center points used to estimate pure error. A common bead blend was used to coat 16 batches in a fluid bed coater with a Wűrster insert.

Results shed light on multiple factor interactions Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that a reduced quadratic model provides a good prediction of the percentage of drug releases at time point 1. The significant model terms (p<0.05) were A, B, C, AB, AC, BC and C2.

The A and B effects can be examined graphically by looking at contour plots at various levels of C, for example, time point 1 with C at its low level as seen in Figure 2. This plot shows that a higher percentage of the product is released when product temperature (A) is low, spray rate (B) is high and atomization air volume (C) is low (the

The DOE study demonstrated that at low- to mid-levels of atomization air volumes, a small change has a drastic effect on dissolution.

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13

Laboratory Focus May 2010

NEWS upper left corner of the graph).

These results were surprising because theory suggests that such wet conditions should reduce or eliminate spray drying, create a uniform film coat, and provide a slow release. Further examination of the product indicated that the coating film was compromised, most likely due to agglomeration under the wet processing conditions. The agglomerates broke apart during the process, causing picking. Picking creates small cavities in the surface of the film, resulting in a fast release.

As the atomization air volume is increased to its middle value, the shape of the contours (Figure 3) remains the same but percent released decreases. The droplets are now smaller so the beads are not getting as wet and picking occurs less often.

At a high atomization air volume, this response changes to having saddle behavior as shown in Figure 4. A contour plot of this situation is shown in Figure 5. This plot shows a smaller gradient through the design space, having a range of about 7 per cent as compared to 19 per cent with the atomization air volume at its low level. Also, the percentage released continues to decrease with an increase in the atomization air volume. Figure 5 shows that there are two areas with faster release, one most likely due to spray drying and the other most likely due to picking.

setup showed high variability, causing the dissolution results to fall outside 95 per cent confidence intervals, due to the low level of atomization air volume suggested. Another gave consistent results that closely followed the mod-

el’s predictions but the dissolution times were too slow, failing drug release specifications. However, one particular setup recommended by the software gave consistent results that passed specifications with little variabil-

has provided excellent results ever since.

Learn more about Particle Size Analysis on our Whitepapers Web Portal at www.bioscienceworld.ca

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Optimizing the coating process The DOE study demonstrated that at low- to mid-levels of atomization air volumes, a small change has a drastic effect on dissolution. On the other hand, at high levels, changes in atomization air volumes have a much smaller impact.

This explained why the initial operating conditions provided inconsistent results.

The models generated during the data analysis were used to optimize the coating process with the goal of consistently meeting the dissolution release specifications.

The optimization generated six distinct scenarios, or sets of coating parameters, that were predicted to give good results. After examining the six suggested setups, three were selected to try on a production-scale process. One

ity. The decision was made to use this for production. It

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NEW PRODUCTS Liquid chromatography & mass spectrometry

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has demonstrated the advanced analytical capabilities delivered by combining its Exactive liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) system with its Transcend technology for a complete LC/MS solution. For challenging screening applications, including complex samples containing pesticides, metabolites or other target compounds, this configuration combines automated online sample preparation for high throughput with the dual benefits of ultra-high resolution and accurate mass. The Exactive delivers ultra-high resolution and accurate mass data to enable the rigorous and rapid characterization of compounds in complex matrices. The easy-to-use instrument streamlines many technical steps that normally require specialized setup and operation, and provides simultaneous qualitative and quantitative results. In addition, Thermo Scientific’s TurboFlow technology within Transcend offers automated, online sample preparation methodologies to simplify analytical workflows and increase data quality.

Reply Card #4341

360 µm High Pressure Fittings VICI Valco’s new 360 µm High Pressure Fitting design permits direct connection of 360 micron OD fused silica, PEEK, stainless or electroformed nickel tubing without having to use troublesome liners. Because of the fitting’s compact size and fine two to 56 threads, a leak-free connection that seals at pressures well in excess of 20,000 psi can be easily formed with the available manual tool. The 360 µm fittings are available with a PEEK or stainless nut. The PEEK nut is supplied with a glassfilled PEEK ferrule, while the stainless nut uses a 316 SS ferrule. The ferrule snaps into the nut so that the fitting is ‘one-piece,’ but the ferrule is free to rotate and does not twist the tube as the nut is tightened. A wide range of micron bore sizes is available.

Reply Card #4342

Water Purification Millipore Corporation has released its ICW-3000 water purification system. The new system produces a constant and reliable source of ultrapure water for Dionex IC (Ion Chromatography) systems. Ultrapure water from the ICW-3000 system can increase the precision of IC analyses. The ICW-3000 system provides a continual flow of ultrapure water to the eluent generator and regenerant lines of the suppressor.

This reduces the carbonate content in the water – sharply decreasing contamination risks and improving experiment reproducibility, while also eliminating the need for helium. The water system also eliminates the need for eluent preparation and the instrument downtime that occurs when filling eluent bottles. With only two tubes and one power cord to connect, the new system is designed for plug-and-play installation, as well as everyday use. The user fills the system’s 10 L tank with pure water in order to produce a constant flow of ultrapure water for the IC system. The ICW-3000 system is remotecontrolled by the Dionex IC system: both systems are 100 per cent compatible.

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May 2010 Laboratory Focus www.bioscienceworld.ca

Data Logger The Simple Logger® II Model L481 bipolar 850VDC data logger gives a choice of data storage modes and storage rates. This allows the operator to configure the logger to optimize memory usage to the application at hand. Extended Recording Mode (XRM®) and delayed start time are two of the many application features in this logger. Its internal memory allows storing over 240,000 measurements. User programmable scale and engineering units are available. Battery operation and compact size allows for installation in tight locations without the need for external power. A series of front panel LEDs provides a quick status of the logger’s state and memory usage. The Simple Logger® II Model L481 records DC voltage at user-selectable rates from eight every second to one every day. Voltages can be measured up to +850 VDC with 0.1 V resolution. DataView® software facilitates real-time viewing of measurement data even while recording.

Reply Card #4344

Sterilisation Cabinet The GLE-UVSC UV sterilisation cabinet provides effective decontamination of reagents and equipment before carrying out sensitive PCR reactions, particularly when amplifying DNA sequences which are either in limited supply or of low copy number. Four timer-controlled 15-Watt UV-C bulbs enable the user to control the exposure time and dose of high energy UV-C irradiation required to denature nucleic acids that cause unwanted background contamination, while a timer override switch allows the UV source to remain on indefinitely if preferred. Safety interlocks switch off the UV-C bulbs automatically when the cabinet side doors are opened, preventing accidental exposure to the UV source. The cabinet is constructed from UV-C-impermeable 10mm acrylic, which also serves as an effective barrier against radioactive isotopes, allowing the user to work in complete safety with high energy ß-emitters such as 32P. A single white light bulb illuminates the work area when the cabinet is in use.

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Cloud Computing Application The new version of Cresset’s FieldStere bioisostere generator delivers shorter lead optimization cycles to computational and medicinal chemists by enabling them to choose the best syntheses, to fine-tune portions of lead molecules and to scaffold hop to expand into new areas of chemical space. FieldStere V2.0 is the first in Cresset’s new generation of ‘cloud enabled’ applications. This brings real-time assessment of new directions for medicinal chemistry, patentability and in-licensing potential of drug candidates a step closer. FieldStere can also be run as a traditional desktop application, allowing users without a large computing infrastructure to benefit from the same functionality. FieldStere V2.0 introduces more flexible licensing and new features to improve productivity. A command line interface supports scripting and workflow systems, while FieldStere databases now have automatic fragment de-duplication and time-stamping to support results tracking in ELN & patent applications. FieldStere also enables results to be exported as PDFs and copied in 2D or 3D for pasting into drawing applications or presentations.

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Laboratory Focus May 2010

NEW PRODUCTS

Chiral Screening

Phenomenex Inc. announces a Chiral Screening Service for customers in pharmaceutical and natural products research and development.

This free service provides target screening using a library of HPLC and SFC columns including the Phenomenex Lux™ polysaccharide-based offerings, which demonstrate a success rate approaching 90 per cent.

After resolving the chiral compound, Phenomenex also produces method development and optimization for the customer within 10 business days. Enantiomers of chiral compounds may have different pharmacological effects in biological systems. Regulations require that enantiomers of all chiral drugs in development be screened separately on their pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. The Phenomenex team of chiral experts will customize a plan for each screening project, taking into account specific requirements and overall separation goals.

Once a project is completed, the customer will receive a report that details the optimal methodincluding information on the chiral stationary phase (CSP) selected for the separation, running conditions and associated chromatograms.

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High performance liquid chromatography system Eksigent, has unveiled the ExpressLC-Ultra. This new microscale HPLC system runs at column pressures up to 10,000 psi, allowing the use of particle columns smaller than two microns.

Along with a new UV detection system, the system delivers all the traits of microscale LC, including solvent savings, reduced sample requirements and reduced frictional heating.

The new system’s CCDbased UV detector works with microfabricated flow cells to ensure ultra-high sensitivity with no band broadening. The ExpressLC-Ultra’s high UV sensitivity allows detection of impurities at levels as low as 0.05 per cent, meeting the needs of researchers in drug discovery and other applications. The system incorporates Eksigent’s proprietary Microfluidic Flow Control technology to generate accurate and reproducible flow rates, from one to 50 microliters per minute. New features make the ExpressLC-Ultra as easy to use as any conventional HPLC instrument. The ExpressLC-Ultra includes Eksigent’s control software with specialized diagnostic tools.

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Sensor Chip For screening and characterization of small molecules and fragments in Biacore™ SPR systems, GE Healthcare announces the launch of Sensor Chip CM7. Designed for use with GE Healthcare’s Biacore™ systems, Sensor Chip CM7 has the high immobilization capacity required to support fragment-based screening of small molecules. Sensor Chip CM7 offers improved screening data quality as it delivers high signal-to-noise ratios. In addition, Sensor Chip CM7 gives improved detection in cases where immobilization levels are unfavourable, such as low concentration of target protein or a target protein that is sensitive to optimal immobilization conditions. Sensor Chip CM7 has a carboxymethylated dextran matrix covalently attached to gold film, with a high degree of carboxylation and a denser matrix compared to Sensor Chip CM5. It is capable of binding proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates or small molecules to carboxyl groups on the sensor surface via –NH2, -SH, -CHO, -OH, or -COOH. The analyte is then passed over the surface and any binding is detected by the Biacore system.

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Magnetic Stirring Bars Magnetic stirring bars, used to stir and mix everything from solutions in a cuvette to 55 gallon drums are standard equipment in many laboratory and manufacturing procedures. Traditionally covered in PTFE, the durability of magnetic stirring bars can be cause for concern in many applications including the mixing of granular slurries or when extended stirring times are required. Bel-Art Products has introduced Spinfinity™, a magnetic stirring bar that addresses these durability concerns and more. The Spinfinity™ magnetic stirring bar is an octagon shape with a built-in pivot ring. This shape provides a greater surface area than a rounded bar and the interrupted profile of the pivot ring reduces friction and chattering. In the lab, they can quickly be identified from other magnetic stirring bars by their distinctive purple color and are 3” x ½” in size.

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Mill for sample preparation Retsch’s GM 300 is the newest mill for sample preparation of foodstuffs.

With a capacity of 4.5 litres and a 1.1 kW motor, the GM 300 quickly and efficiently homogenizes samples with high water, oil or fat content. Its special knife design and variety of grinding chambers allows for the homogenization of large quantities of frozen french fries, pizza and gummy candies. Simple to clean, the grinding chamber and knife are easily attached and removed without the use of tools.

When the grinding cycle is complete, the container can be lifted from its base and replaced with a clean one; eliminating cross contamination between samples. In addition, all components that come in contact with the sample are removable and autoclavable. With speed parameters from 500 – 5000 min-1, the mill can be properly adjusted for preliminary or fine size reduction. A digital display can store up to 10 parameters combinations, ensuring reproducible results regardless of the user.

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May 2010 Laboratory Focus www.bioscienceworld.ca

FEATURE Continued from page 9

by GC/MS. As with the LC/MS evaluation the vials were exposed at room temperature and 50°C. There was no significant difference between the room temperature and elevated temperature test results. A typical GC/MS chromatogram and mass scan are shown in figures 3 and 4 using positive electrospray ionization, with blank solvent in the upper scan and the vial extract shown in the lower scan.

Conclusion In order to achieve improved levels of sensitivity, reliability, and reproducibility, today’s high performance hyphenated techniques require the elimination of all possible contaminants from every stage. The sample vial is an important link between the prepared sample and final analysis, and as such must also meet this requirement.

Vials must, therefore, be produced

under the strictest automated manufacturing and quality controls systems to ensure a reproducible performance is obtained with every use. Studies have shown that the new National Scientific Mass Spec Certified vials exhibit minimal background particulate levels and minimal LC/MS and GC/ MS background contamination over a wide variety of conditions. Consequently, these new pre-cleaned vials are highly effective and offer the re-

assurance of meeting the rigorous demands of an extensive range of current highly sensitive chromatography applications.

Learn more about Chromotogarphy on our Whitepapers Web Portal at www.bioscienceworld.ca

COMPANY & ADVERTISER INDEX COMPANY

PAGE

RC

AEMC..............................................14................4344 AEterna Zentaris Inc..........................7.........................

Allon Therapeutics Inc........................3.........................

Bel-Art Products..............................15................4350 BIOTECanada.............................................................. 6 BUCHI Corporation..........................19................4352 Caledon Laboratory Services...........5.................4336 Canada Foundation for Innovation....1, 3, 6.....................

Chemical Institute of Canada ...................................... and the Canadian Society for......................................

Chemical Technology........................4.................4335 Children’s Miracle Network............6.................4337 Cresset............................................................... 4346 Cynapsus Therapeutics Inc.................7.........................

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.............7.........................

DiagnoCure Inc..................................6.........................

Eksigent...........................................15................4348 Fisher Scientific...............................2.................4334 GE Healthcare..................................15................4349 Genome Canada............................... 1,2........................

Hamilton Thorne Ltd...........................6.........................

Immunovaccine Inc.............................7.........................

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals..................7.........................

Millipore Corporation..................14, 30...4343, 4353 Medicure Inc.....................................6.........................

National Research Council of Canada ..3.........................

OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals Inc........4, 6.......................

Ontario Ministry of.......................................................

Research and Innovation....................1.........................

Paladin Labs Inc.................................7.........................

Phenomenex Inc...............................15................4347 POI.................................................13................4340 Retsch............................................15................4351 Scie-Plas Ltd....................................14................4345 Stellar Pharmaceuticals.....................6.........................

Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp...............7.........................

Thermo Fisher Scienitific................10, 14.............4341 Trent University.................................3.........................

VICI Valco.........................................15................4342 VWR...............................................11................4339 Wyvern Scientific Inc.......................7.................4338 YM BioSciences Inc............................7.........................

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May 2010 May 11 Newfoundland and Labrador Laboratory Exposition Venue: St. John’s, NL Tel: (519) 579-7598 Email: jhowes@ clsassoc.com Web: http://www. clsassoc.com/

May 17-18 Discovery 2010 Venue: Toronto, ON Contact: Catharine Ogilvie Tel: (416) 861-1092 Ext. 1019 Email: catharine.ogilvie@ oce-ontario.org Web: http://www. oce-ontario.org

Laboratory Focus May 2010 Chemistry Conference and Exhibition Venue: Toronto, ON Tel: (613) 232-6252 Email: conferences@ cheminst.ca Web: http://www. chemistry.ca

Venue: Richmond, BC Web: http://www. cspscanada.org/ symposium_2010.aspx

June 6-10

June 2010 June 2-5 13th Annual Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences Symposium

International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science World Congress 2010 Venue: Nairobi, Kenya Contact: James Sakwa Email: sakwakungwi@ yahoo.com Web: http://www. akmlso-ifbls2010.org

CALENDAR June 8-10

June 27-30

Bio Energy Conference Venue: Prince George, BC Web: www. bioenergyconference.org

June 13-17 DIA-Drug Information Association Annual meeting Venue: Washington, DC Web: www.diahome.org

World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing Venue: Washington, DC Tel: 202-962-6630 Email: worldcongress@ bio.org Web: www.bio.org/ worldcongress

May 17-18 2010 International Conference on Research Facilities Venue: Toronto, ON Tel: (925) 254-1744 Email: registrar@ tradelineinc.com Web: http://www. tradelineinc.com

May 20-21 SBS 2010 Biopharmaceutical Symposium Venue: San Francisco, CA Tel: (203) 743-1336 Email: email@ sbsonline.org Web: http://www. sbsonline.org

May 23-27 58th American Society for Mass Spectrometry Conference on Mass Spectrometry Venue: Salt Lake City, UT Contact: Judith A. Sjoberg / Executive Director Tel: (505) 989-4517 Email: office@asms.org Web: http://www.asms.org

May 23-26 Radtech 2010 Venue: Chevy Chase, MD Contact: Mickey Fortune Tel: (240) 643-0517 Email: mickey@ radtech.org Web: http://www.radtech. org

May 28-June 1 LABCON 2010 Venue: Edmonton, AB Tel: (905) 528-8642 Email: alison@csmls.org Web: http://www. csmls.org

May 29-June 2 The 93rd Canadian

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May 2010 Laboratory Focus

CAREER SPOTLIGHT Bio-economy Career Profile

New research service will increase access

TO PEER-REVIEWED MEDICAL LITERATURE Thanks to a new and exciting initiative, Canadian researchers can now contribute to a growing, searchable digital archive of published Canadian health research.

Officially launched in 2009, PubMed Central Canada (PMC Canada) is a service that will act as both a national online archive for papers and data coming from government-funded research, but also as a tool for Canadian researchers to share knowledge, identify potential collaborators and expose their research to a global audience. Likewise, Canadians will have at their fingertips free access to the latest peer-reviewed health and life sciences literature, including research resulting from CIHR funding.

“PMC Canada is a powerful tool that will help researchers build upon one another’s work and speed up the discovery and innovation process to address important health challenges,” commented Ian Graham VP, Knowledge Translation & Public Outreach Canadian Institutes of Health Research, adding that the site promotes knowledge sharing.

“It will increase the visibility of CIHR-funded research so that it has the greatest possible value and impact,” he added.

The first phase of PMC Canada includes a basic bilingual interface, a manuscript submission system for CIHR researchers and a bilingual help desk. Plans for the second phase of the repository will incorporate a customized web front-end along with enhanced reporting and alerting features for system funders and users.

The site was established through a partnership between the National Research Council’s Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the US National Library of Medicine. PMC Canada, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, builds on PubMed Central, the U.S. National Institutes of Health free digital archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature and is a member of the broader PMC International network of e-repositories.

An advisory committee of Canadian health researchers and other stakeholders will guide PMC Canada’s future development.

Position: Principal Scientist Name: Chris Williams Company: Chemical Computing Group.

Salary Range: $80,000 to $100,000 per year

What I do:

I use computers to help design drugs. The work varies; sometimes I’m in the office writing programs and other times I’m on the road showing clients how to use our software. I travel up to 90 days a year, mostly within Canada.

What education and skills do candidates need for this position?

Candidates require a degree in chemistry, preferably a PhD, some computer skills, and a background in math or physics. Most people in the field get their degree in computation or chemistry, or they’re hardcore computer programmers with a math and physics background. In terms of special skills, you interact with a lot of clients, so “the ability to work with people” is the most important.

My advice to people interested in a job in the field is to keep your knowledge base as broad and general as possible. If you overspecialize and don’t see the big picture, you’ll find yourself with limited options.

What are the best parts of your job?

I have freedom over my own time, and my boss doesn’t check up on me. There are ways that I am accountable to him and things that I have to accomplish on my own, but I don’t have to punch a clock. When I tell people about what I do, they’re interested in the fact that I design drugs. It’s interesting to people, because it’s relevant to their lives. On occasion, friends have questions about medication, and sometimes I can give them relevant information.

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• • • • •

Dual POD (point of delivery) concept saves space and increases convenience.

Lower running costs and water waste with exclusive Elix® technology.

A full range of systems cover all your lab water needs.

Total control over water quality and quantity at the point of delivery.

Backed with the service and support you trust from Millipore.

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Millipore, Milli-Q, Elix and Advancing Life Science Together are registered trademarks of Millipore Corporation.

The Millipore logo and Let your work flow are trademarks of Millipore Corporation. ©2010 Millipore Corporation. All rights reserved.

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