Freedom from filters! The Biochrom Asys UVM340 Microplate Reader

Ever been frustrated about not having the correct filter for your assay application? If so, the Biochrom Asys UVM340 could be a wise choice to future-proof your laboratory.

This monochromator based plate reader puts you in control of selecting the exact wavelength to measure optical density for your application, without compromise. Select any wavelength between 340nm to 800nm at 1nm intervals to measure absorbance. It is ideal for ELISA and other absorbance applications and there is no need to purchase expensive extra filters or change instruments to perform different assays.

The Biochrom Asys UVM340 is a single channel microplate reader that can read 12-96 well plates, giving greater flexibility on plate format than multi-channel systems. Front loading allows easy integration into automated systems and a compact footprint saves valuable bench space.

All Biochrom plate readers are CE marked and manufactured under a rigorous quality system. Building on 25 years experience in microplate instrumentation, the Biochrom Asys UVM340 provides total flexibility for microplate absorbance applications. For further information, view website: http://www.biochrom.co.uk

Biochrom in profile
Biochrom is a leading global manufacturer with over 40 years of experience producing high quality scientific instrumentation trusted by hospitals and laboratories worldwide. The company is a valued OEM partner to many of the world's finest scientific instrumentation companies.

The famous Biochrom 30 is the leading dedicated Amino Acid Analyzer, while the company's UV/Vis spectroscopy portfolio includes Libra spectrophotometers for industrial and environmental laboratories, WPA colorimeters and spectrophotometers for education and the life sciences. The Biochrom Group also includes two major players in the microplate instrumentation market - Asys and Anthos.

All Biochrom products are available worldwide, both directly and through a growing network of committed independent distributors. (Biochrom is a Harvard Bioscience Company).

For further information, view websites: www.biochrom.co.uk or www.biochrom-us.com   Refer to page 271

JPK Instruments' conductive AFM
accessory for its NanoWizard system

The latest conductive AFM module for JPK's NanoWizard® II AFM maps local conductivity changes. Operating in contact, intermittent contact and spectroscopy modes, applications include charge mapping in polymers, organic semiconductors, nanotubes and nanoparticles.

Conductive AFM (CAFM), records the current flowing between an electrically conductive cantilever (typically Pt/Ir or Cr/Pt) and substrate while a bias is applied between tip and sample. JPK's new conductive AFM accessory attaches directly to the base of the NanoWizard head. An ultra-sensitive pre-amplifier enables detection of subpicoamp currents. Bias voltage is software selected with range ± 10 Volts. Conductivity mapping can be carried out in both contact and intermittent contact modes, under ambient or oxygen-free conditions, whilst simultaneously displaying the surface topography image. Powerfull spectroscopy software allows the variation in current to be tracked as the potential is ramped at user defined locations. This is referred to as current voltage (I/V) spectroscopy.

The sample holder supplied with the NanoWizard® II CAFM module supports metal stubs, glass slides and cover slips. A separate holder is used for optically transparant samples enabling simultaneous measurement of fluorescence. A spring loaded electrode guides the bias voltage to the sample surface. Alternatively, conductive lacquer can be used. Samples can also be prepared on HOPG and other electrically conductive flat samples such as indium tin oxide (ITO). Applications include metals, semiconductors, polymers, ferroelectrics, dielectrics and organic conductors.

For further information, e-mail: dammermann@jpk.com or view website: www.jpk.com  Refer to next page

Coriolis PharmaService chooses NanoSight
to study the aggregation of protein drugs and vaccines

Munich-based company Coriolis PharmaServices GmbH is using NanoSight's LM-20 nanoparticle characterization system to investigate the aggregation behaviour of protein drugs and vaccines.

Coriolis is a contract research organization for the formulation and analytics of pharmaceutical proteins and vaccines for their customers from national and international pharmaceutical companies. A special focus during formulation development is set on the characterization of subvisible particles and aggregation. The main application requirement for the NanoSight system is to measure the number and the size distribution of aggregates in pharmaceutical protein formulations and of vaccines, e.g. virus-like particles. Protein aggregation is a major stability issue and can result in reduced biological activity and enhanced immunogenicity of the product. Therefore, it is important to analyze the aggregation behaviour of pharmaceutical proteins and develop methods and formulations that avoid aggregation already at the beginning of formulation development.

Coriolis uses a variety of instrumental techniques to quantify and size aggregates, depending on the size range of interest. Dynamic light scattering is ideal to analyze monodisperse systems, e.g. 5-20 nm range, but once the aggregates start to form and grow (in the hundreds of nm range), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) from NanoSight gives a real distribution picture. For samples in the µm range, microflow imaging (MFI) and light obscuration are used.

In contrast to DLS, NTA works well with polydisperse samples giving an estimation of the total concentration of particles and the possibility to distinguish different size populations, e.g. 60 and 100 nm particles. This is not possible by DLS due to the poor resolution.

Speaking at the recent National Biotech Conference 2010 in San Francisco, the Coriolis team under Dr Michael Wiggenhorn reported that to achieve a comprehensive characterization of nanoscale particulates in protein formulations, it is important to combine techniques that operate in that range. However, the ability of NTA to provide a real-time image of samples permits the analysis of potentially occurring difficulties during the measurement which is not possible using DLS.

To learn more about nanoparticle characterization using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, NTA, view the company's website and register for the latest issue of NanoTrail, the company's electronic newsletter.

For further information, view website: www.nanosight.com  Refer to page 277

The Vortis™ Advanced from JPK Instruments
sets a new standard in SPM Control systems

The Vortis™ Advanced from JPK Instruments sets a new standard in SPM Control systems with the lowest noise and highest signal speeds seen to date. 

Providing the highest performance of electronics controller for scanning probe microscopes, SPM, is one of the driving forces behind JPK's development programs. Recent engineering breakthroughs have enabled the elimination of DSP technology. JPK has utilized the new Power-PC hardware with the latest FPGA architecture to deliver the highest digital performance.

Vortis Advanced is now available with all of JPK's SPM systems: the NanoWizard® 3, the ForceRobot® 300 and the CellHesion® 200 now deliver even more superior results. With fast signal acquisition and control, advanced feedback and analysis are the keys for a modular and ultra flexible controller. The lowest noise levels are achieved using a new grounding concept, intelligent signal conditioning, temperature stabilized oscillators and passive cooling.

Vortis Advanced has been designed so the builder of their home-designed and built SPM heads may utilize these performance benefits. It comes with a large number of user accessible analog and digital signal channels, fast responding lock-in amplifiers and high end piezo drivers with closed loop control. Flexibility of design gives the user the ability to work with different probe configurations requiring different levels of control. For example, STM systems, systems using tuning forks and high frequency cantilevers all need very specific control, all of which are delivered by the Vortis Advanced. Synchronisation with external instruments including spectrometers, potentiostats and optical detection devices is provided too.

Control systems with the best hardware still require another vital element, powerful and modular software. JPK supplies the new package, SPMControl v4 to deliver ease of use plus the ability for user customized experiments through the implementation of many powerful data analysis and processing routines such as multi-channel oscilloscope functionality, advanced filtering, batch processing and channel overlay.

JPK develops, engineers and manufactures instrumentation in Germany to the world-recognised standards of German precision engineering, quality and functionality.

For further details of the NanoWizard®3 and its many applications, view website: www.jpk.com or e-mail: dammermann@jpk.com  Refer to page 212