New Products

Micro-Tech Scientific Introduces New Reciprocating Pump For Chromatography Sequence-Analysis Software From IntelliGenetics Zeiss' Kontron KS Intuitive Image-Analysis Systems RGB Spectrum Unveils ComputerWall Multiscreen Computer Graphics Processor Stat-Ease Issues New Version Of DESIGN-EASE Software For Windows And Macintosh Bel-Art Products Redesigns Pipetting Aid Nanoprobes Offers Gold-Compound Reagent XYNTEK Expands Capacity Of Spatial Database Engine Cel-Line's HTC Slides Can Be Customized For Diagnostic Kits pp.21 IntelliGenetics Inc. of Mountain View, Calif., has released GeneWorks 2.3, a sequence-analysis software package that generates circular maps of multiple nucleic-acid analyses. Designed for Macintosh computers, the program enables users to create maps of open reading frames, sequence features, and restriction-enzyme digests. Restriction fragments can be cut from the circular map and replaced with a region of interest for cloning or further analysis. Users can also define a restriction-enzyme set or choose from those offered by the program for generating restriction-enzyme digest maps. These analyses can be viewed separately or in combination, which is said to facilitate identification of regions for designing vectors, subclones, hybridization probes, and mutagenesis studies. GeneWorks accommodates a range of analyses for DNA and protein sequences, including true multiple-sequence alignment, polymerase chain reaction primer design, dot matrix sequence similarity plots, sequencing gel assembly, sequence and translated-sequence database searching, PROSITE motif and pattern searching, and protein secondary-structure prediction. Graphics Processor Alameda. Calif.-based RGB Spectrum has introduced ComputerWall, a multiscreen computer graphics processor that displays images across a four-screen array of multisync video projection cubes. It magnifies and splits computer graphics--at up to 1,280 x 1,024 pixel resolution in real time, 24-bit color--and creates wall-size displays with brightness and resolution of sufficient quality to produce high-end multimedia presentations for convention facilities, communications centers, control rooms, and simulation systems. The system connects to the RGB monitor outputs of workstations and personal computers and is designed to be compatible with all software. Its analog autosync front end ensures that the computer-generated image is exactly duplicated on the display wall, according to the company. Windows And Macintosh State-Ease Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, announces the release of version 3 of its DESIGN-EASE software, which can now be run on Microsoft Windows or Apple Macintosh operating systems. The program sets up and analyzes two-level factorial, fractional factorial (up to 15 variables), and Plackett-Burman designs (up to 31 variables); center points can be added to test for curvature. Users can add or delete points, change blocks, or choose other options from the software's design editor feature. DESIGN-EASE then prints resulting runs, randomized to prevent bias. When test runs are completed, users can enter up to nine responses; the program produces a normal plot that shows the critical effects at a glance. A complete analysis of variance, including case statistics, provides all necessary confidence values, according to the company. After displaying various residual graphs to validate the analysis, the software produces interaction and other effects plots. The company continues to offer version 2 of DESIGN-EASE for Microsoft DOS users. Mono-NHS-Nanogold, a 1.4 nm gold compound with a single organic reactive group (N-hydroxysuccinimide ester) that reacts with primary amines under mild conditions, has been developed by Nanoprobes Inc. of Stony Brook, N.Y. The reagent forms a stable covalent attachment to proteins, lipids, peptides, DNA, and other amine-containing target molecules, which may be used to prepare gold probes for electron or light microscopy. The reagent reportedly avoids problems associated with colloidal gold, such as poorly controlled coupling, aggregation, poor stability, and low diffusion into tissue. The gold may be enhanced with a silver developer to make small gold particles more easily seen in electron or light microscopes or on blots and gels. The company also supplies a full line of 1.4 nm gold covalently attached to antibodies and Fab e fragments as well as streptavidin. Bel-Art Products of Pequannock, N.J., has introduced FAST RELEASE PIPETTE PUMP II, which features a newly designed tapered locking collar that secures longer stepped, elastometric chucks to ensure proper pipette alignment. The innovation is intended to make pipette handling easier and one-handed dispensing more accurate. The ergonomically designed chuck locking cone enables a firmer grip when tightening; and the locking collar has molded alignment guides that provide a positive hold on the inserted pipette. Other changes in the Fast Release device include a more reliable piston system for improved fluid retention. Three color-coded models are available for pipettes up to 2 ml, 10 ml, and 25 ml. All models feature the Fast Release lever for emptying pipettes rapidly. Carl Zeiss Inc., based in Thornwood, N.Y., offers the new Kontron KS series of intuitive image-analysis systems for research, quality control, and other technical applications. The KS 100 is designed for simple image-analysis problems that are readily solved by interactive measurement. The KS 200 facilitates digitizing and video archiving of true- color, studio-quality images. The KS 300 is an automatic image-analysis solution for virtually all applications. An optional drive module for motorized scanning is available for automatic probe evaluation. Another option is the Prog Res digital camera, which produces high-resolution, true- color images (3,000 x 2,300 pixels) for archiving and image analysis. The KS series will be supplemented with modules for special applications, such as 3-D reconstruction, 3-D image analysis, and knowledge-based classification. The series is available as complete systems (microscope, personal computer, camera, and software) and as software only. Chromatography Micro-Tech Scientific of Saratoga, Calif., announces the availability of the Prodigix-4p constant-flow reciprocating pump, designed for packed fused-silica capillary and microbore chromatography with applications for LC-MS, catecholamine, and protein analyses. The device generates pulse-free flows to 0.1 ml/min and reproducible microgradients at 5 ml/min without splitting. The pump may be used independently or in a micro-optimized liquid chromatography system, which includes a UV detector, injector, personal-computer data system, and microcol-umn. XYNTEK Corp. of Littleton, Colo., has extended XYNSPACE, its cellular, hierarchical, object-oriented, spatial database engine, to accommodate up to 60 variables or dimensions. XYNSPACE permits the natural aggregation and clustering of information in higher dimensions. Potential applications are visualization, medical analysis, cartography, molecular modeling, CAD/CAM, global-positioning systems, robotics, solids modeling, cluster processing, genetic engineering, communications-network analysis, chaos prediction, demographics, and other database structures requiring visual and proximity references. XYNSPACE is designed to run under SCO UNIX or POSIX compliant operating systems. Cel-Line Associates Inc. of Newfield, N.J., offers customized heavy Teflon coated (HTC) and HTC Super Cured slides that can include a company's name and wells positioned and numbered according to user specifications. Slides of MicroPure optical-quality glass are printed with HTC, which is hydrophobic, autoclavable, and chemical resistant. HTC Super Cured slides feature a wettable well for enhanced cell attachment. The slides are designed for use in diagnostic test kits, including immunofluorescent assays.

New Products

The Scientist Staff

Jul 24, 1994

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