New Products

New HPLC Radioactivity Detector From Bioscan Gilson 234 Autoinjector For HPLC Applications Du Pont Introduces Inflammation Products DAKO Corp.'s Mouse Anti-CD50, ICAM-3 Red-Out From Robbins Scientific Corp. Arm And Elbow Support From Able Ergonomics BIO 101 Releases Bioscan, located in Washington, D.C., has introduced its Flow-Count line of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) radioactivity detectors for 125I-, gamma-, and beta- labeled proteins; monoclonal antibodies; and DNA. Applications include research analysis of protein mixtures, development of labeled monoclonal antibody tumor detection and therapy agents, and monitoring of iodine labeling procedures. Flow-Count offers a range of detectors that can be matched to a desired application. An NaI (T1) scintillation detector provides high sensitivity and low background for 125I and gamma emitter detection. According to the company, levels as low as 100 DPM can be seen with use of the shielded well detector, which has 80 percent counting efficiency for 125I. In addition, a novel PIN diode, solid-state detector provides linear output for high-activity samples found in radiochemical and radiopharmaceutical synthesis labs. The miniature, remote detector can be shielded inside the hood or hot-cell, and can be used for quantitative monitoring of HPLC with activities as high as 1 Curie. A special beta radiation detector is also available for 32P, 90Y, and other beta emitters used to label DNA and monoclonal antibody therapeutic agents. Users can also monitor positron emission tomography isotopes--18F, 11C, 13N, and 15O. Gilson Inc. of Middleton, Wis., has released the 234 Autoinjector, designed to automate a wide range of routine sample-handling procedures and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) injections. Gilson's autoinjector can be used to dilute samples or standards; mix internal standards with samples; and aspirate, dispense, and inject samples, standards, and reagents. The product features five injection methods, including simple injection, external standard with or without dilution, and internal standards with or without dilution. The 234 Autoinjector has an injection volume range of 1 to 500 ml, depending on the size of the injection loop. Total, partial, or sample-saving centered loop filling techniques can be used with the device. The product features an integral numeric keypad with a two- line, 80-character display and five multifunction soft keys for interactive response during protocol setup. A help key provides online assistance. The 234 can be interfaced for automatic coordination with other devices in one of two ways: through the input/output contacts on the instrument's rear panel or via the Gilson Serial Input/Output Channel (GSIOC) and Gilson HPLC System Controller Software. In addition, built-in counters track instrument function to facilitate compliance with maintenance schedule guidelines. Users can choose from 10 different rack options, such as racks for 124 0.8 ml vials, 20 ml reagent vials, and temperature-controlled racks. Four vial sizes are available- -including 800 ml microvials, Waters WISP vials, and 2 ml autoinjector vials. Du Pont Co. of Wilmington, Del., offers four iodinated chemoat-tractant cytokines--MCAF/ MCP-1, MIP-1 alpha and MIP-1 beta, and RANTES--for studies of inflammation and immune regulation. The human, recombinant cytokines, which, according to the company, are notable for their high specific activity and purity, can be used with receptor binding assays, radioimmunoassays, and autoradiography. MCAF/MCP-1 is expressed by a wide variety of cell types, including monocytes, but is not highly expressed by T cells. According to DuPont, MCAF/ MCP-1 has been shown to play a role in inflammation; initial findings show that it may also be active with leukocytes in tumor growth and with atherosclerosis. MIP-1 alpha and MIP-1 beta, the company claims, are the first endogenous pyrogens that work through a prostaglandin-independent pathway and activate T cells to sites of inflammation. In addition, MIP-1 alpha attracts B and cytotoxic T cells. RANTES attracts peripheral blood monocytes, and, in vitro, attracts CD4+/CD45R0+ T cells but not other T cell phenotypes. It is thought to be involved in disease states predominated by T cells, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Expression of RANTES mRNA is rapidly induced in fibroblasts cultured from rheumatoid joints after stimulation with TNF-alpha or IL-1, according to the company. Carpinteria, Calif.-based DAKO Corp. has released the anti- CD50, ICAM-3 for use in identifying cells expressing high levels of ICAM-3 in cryostat sections or cell smears. The product reacts with a 110-kilodalton cell-surface adhesion molecule expressed on lymphocytes present in lymphoid tissue. It also reacts with monocytes, granulocytes, and the majority of lymphocytes in peripheral blood. DAKO also offers antibodies to CD54 (ICAM-1), CD11a (LFA-1, a-chains), and CD18 (LFA-1, b-chains). Other cell surface antibodies available from DAKO include antineural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM), as well as integrins a2b1, a3b1, a4b1, and a5b1. Able Ergonomics Corp., located in San Diego, has designed an articulating arm/elbow support system for use by researchers. The ABLE ARM articulating forearm support provides continual support of the arm during data entry or intense microscopic tasks. According to the manufacturer, the product reduces neck, shoulder, and back strain, thus decreasing the possibility that repetitive stress injuries will develop. The company also offers other ergonomic products designed for the research environment. Robbins Scientific Corp. of Sunnyvale, Calif., has introduced Red-Out, a human red blood cell agglutination reagent. The product is designed to eliminate red cell contamination that frequently occurs in purification of lymphocytes on density-gradient media in such applications as HLA tissue typing tests, microscopic analysis, and fluorescence-activated cell sort- ing. Human blood is incubated at room temperature for five minutes with Red-Out, then centrifuged in ficoll-isopaque type media. The resulting red cell aggregates settle easily to the bottom of the tube. According to the company, the high specificity of Red-Out is based on a murine monoclonal antibody that binds to a universally present antigen on erythrocyte membranes. Two sizes are available: 25 ml (250 tests) or 100 ml (1,000 tests) per bottle. Preformulated Media For Growing Yeast And Bacteria BIO 101, based in Vista, Calif., offers a line of preformulated media for the growth of yeast and bacteria. The products are available as either premixed powder or capsules. BIO 101's capsules eliminate dust contamination in the lab, according to the company. Biological buffers make pH adjustment unnecessary, the company says. The media is specifically designed for molecular biology applications, including optimum plasmid and phage yield and production of highly competent cells for transformation. The media are certified for molecular biology/recombinant DNA applications.

New Products

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