Microplate reader 

Tecan, of Männedorf, Switzerland, has launched the Infinite M1000 microplate reader. 

The high-end detection system offers top-of-the-range flexibility, sensitivity and speed for a wide range of detection modes, and has been especially optimised for time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer (TR-FRET)-based assays, as well as glow luminescence, fast luminescence and dual color luminescence assays. 

The platform can be upgraded with new detection modes at any time, making it ideal for bridging the drug discovery gap between research, assay development and screening in the biopharmaceutical industry, as well as for research laboratories with multiple users and ever-changing applications. 

The system provides high quality performance for a broad spectrum of applications that includes the latest biomolecular assays for primary and secondary screening, receptor-ligand binding studies, cell-based assays and UV fluorometry-based applications. 
analyze@thermofisher.com 

On the move 

CK Associates, leaders in the area of scientific and engineering recruitment for the chemical, pharmaceutical, environmental and food processing industries, has moved to new corporate headquarters in Chesterfield, UK. The CK Associates group consists of CK Science, CK Clinical and CK First Step. 

CK Associates now has three offices in the UK, and a turnover of over £10 million. It currently places over 800 candidates a year in the UK, Europe, Middle East and South Africa, and is looking ahead to future expansion in India and China. 
information@ckscience.co.uk 

Processing analytical data 

ACD/Labs has introduced the ACD/Analytical Automation Suite - a modular software package which facilitates the automated processing and interpretation of spectral and chromatographic data with minimal human involvement. 

This software package consists of a number of modules configured to meet the user's specific requirements. One application involves automated structure-to-spectrum matching using 1D and 2D NMR data, unambiguously confirming structure-spectrum matches for 75-90 per cent of samples.  

Other applications include high-throughput purity assessment of compound libraries by LC/MS. Users can integrate results into their decision-making, automatically connect to archive, Lims or ELN, or deploy separately for chemically- and spectrally-enabled data search and visualisation, including web browser-based dissemination. 
tara.sinclair@acdlabs.com 

Joining forces 

Mettler Toledo and Applied Biosystems are integrating two laboratory software platforms to create a fully validated and flexible laboratory environment.  

LabX data management software from Mettler Toledo has been seamlessly integrated with the SQL Lims laboratory information system from Applied Biosystems. It performs full data acquisition and storage, and automated reporting and documentation for audit trails; data can be stored within the LabX database and/or the Lims. 
enquire.mtuk@mt.com  

Protein searching 

ThermoFisher has announced the integration of Matrix Science's Mascot search engine for protein identification with its BioWorks software (which uses the Sequest search algorithm). This integration provides users with comprehensive tools for data processing, protein identification, quantitation and characterisation. 
analyze@thermofisher.com;  info@matrixscience.com 

Drug testing 

Randox Laboratories of Crumlin, Co. Antrim, UK, have released a second biochip for drugs of abuse screening in urine. The DoA Array II simultaneously tests for ten drugs of abuse in a single procedure from a single sample. The biochip screens for six opioid analgesics including fentanyl, as well as ketamine, LSD, methaqualone and ecstasy (MDMA).  
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Measuring oxygen 

Ocean Optics of Duiven, The Netherlands, has introduced the RedEye Oxygen Patch to measure oxygen levels in packaging and other enclosed containers in medical and pharmaceutical applications. 

The patch can be integrated into the surface of sample containers such as blood bags, pill blister packs, or point-of-care analysis devices, to permit non-invasive, through-the-package oxygen concentration measurements. A nano-porous sol-gel coating is non-reactive and keeps the sensor immobilised, protected from the package contents.  

Depending on the application, the simple presence of oxygen can be visually determined by color change with a handheld LED, or a fluorometer can be used to directly measure the exact oxygen level. 

RedEye coatings are capable of monitoring low levels of oxygen in gas (to 0.005 per cent) and dissolved oxygen in liquids (to 20 ppb), as well as the higher oxygen levels present in cell culture and respiratory monitoring.  

In addition to medical and pharmaceutical uses, RedEye coatings are available for food, beverage, fuel and other hydrocarbon-based product applications.  
Jessica.vanHeck@oceanoptics.eu