Virtual microscopy system for pathology
09 January, 2008Olympus has updated its dotSlide digital virtual microscopy system which scans entire slides at high resolution and fidelity, making them accessible and fully navigable anywhere on the globe.
Detecting sudden death in soybeans
08 January, 2008A simple, cheap laboratory test developed at Southern Illinois University Carbondale can unerringly detect Sudden Death Syndrome, a costly fungal disease, in soybean seedlings. Once commercialised, its use will help breeders produce SDS-resistant soybean varieties much faster than they can now.
Development of a rapid diagnostic test for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
14 August, 2007Singaporean academics and industry have joined together to develop a rapid test for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).
Vial filling system for clinical trials
06 August, 2007Bosch Pharmaceutical has augmented its portfolio of vial filling solutions with the FLT1020, a system designed for increased efficiency in clinical trials. The filler is a downsized alternative to larger vial filling systems, specifically designed for the clinical/trials phase. Based on production technology, the FLT1020 minimises packaging and processing variables when shifting into the full scale production stage. Pharmaceutical firms moving from clinical trials to the production phase need to be able to predict how a drug will handle on the filling line and the FLT1020 addresses the demands of pharmaceutical manufacturers that require a scaled down unit that replicates the conditions of mass production. A smaller system enables firms to anticipate potential variables, streamline validation procedures and thus minimise the risks associated with scale up.
Possible population screening for FXS
05 July, 2007An automated test could enable population screening to identify carriers of the genetic disease fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited form of mental retardation, reports a study in the April issue of Genetics in Medicine, published by the American College of Medical Genetics and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.
Flavivirus diagnostic
28 June, 2007A rapid diagnostic test capable of detecting and identifying viruses such as dengue, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis (JEV) has been developed that has significantly reduced the time and discomfort involved with diagnosing an infection.
Blood test to spot TB in children
21 June, 2007Accurate tuberculosis testing in children is crucial as the disease can rapidly spread from the lungs to other organs, leading to life-threatening conditions which particularly affect children. A simple blood test to analyse and identify proteins circulating in the blood of infected children could provide the answer.
A vaccine for nicotine addiction
20 June, 2007Cytos Biotechnology has announced that it has entered into an exclusive global commercial licence agreement with Novartis to develop, manufacture and commercialise CYT002-NicQb, a therapeutic vaccine in phase II clinical development for the treatment of nicotine addiction.
Transdermal vaccine delivery
19 June, 2007Apollo Life Sciences has announced it has successfully delivered a vaccine without needles, by applying it topically to the skin of mice using the company’s transdermal delivery technology. The technology could spell the end of injections for tetanus, flu and many other vaccine, according to Apollo’s CEO, John Priest.
Haematology systems
08 June, 2007Beckman Coulter has introduced Coulter LH 780 haematology systems - top-of-the-line analysers that incorporate advancements to the company's VCS (volume, conductivity and scatter) technology for high sensitivity, specificity and efficiency in WBC differential analysis. The systems deliver functionality that increases laboratory capability and helps reduce healthcare costs.
Blood test to diagnose Parkinson's
27 April, 2007A simple test to diagnose Parkinson's disease (PD) before symptoms appear by measuring the levels of a protein in blood is being developed by researchers from the Howard Florey Institute, The University of Melbourne and The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria.
Clostridium in faeces
04 April, 2007The BioStar OIA CdTOX AB assay is an immunoassay test for the rapid qualitative detection of Clostridium difficile Toxins A and/or B in human faecal samples from patients suspected of having CDAD. Toxin A is an enterotoxin which appears to be responsible for the clinical symptoms of diarrhoea and colonic inflammation, while Toxin B is responsible for the associated cell destruction. Clinical symptoms of CDAD were once thought to be solely due to Toxin A; however, there is growing evidence that Toxin B may also play an important role in the pathogenesis of C. difficile. In many markets it is mandatory to use a test that detects both toxins, therefore a test which detects both toxins would be an aid to prompt diagnosis and allow the physician to initiate appropriate patient management.
Rockeby receives approval for flu test
02 April, 2007Rockeby Biomed has received the European approval, CE Mark, for its Human Antigen Detection Test for Influenza A.
Oral fluid drug testing device
12 January, 2007Varian has announced an improved version of the OnSite OraLab oral fluid drug testing device. Featuring a proprietary detection methodology, the OraLab is more accurate and achieves lower detection limits for parent-THC than previous devices. OraLab is an extension of Varian''s drugs of abuse oral fluid testing product line that offers devices for both on-site and laboratory-based testing.
Secondary screening
08 December, 2006CellKey is a high information secondary screening instrument employing cellular dielectric spectroscopy (CDS).
