New near-infrared spectrometer
has spectral response from 900-2200 nm

Ocean Optics has expanded its offering of small-footprint near-infrared spectrometers with the introduction of NIRQuest512-2.2, a high-performance unit with response from 900-2200 nm. NIRQuest512-2.2 is ideal for applications ranging from moisture detection and chemical analysis to high-resolution laser and optical fibre characterisation.

Picture shows Ocean Optics' NIRQuest512-2.2 near-infrared spectrometer featuring a small footprint with response from 900-2200 nm.

NIRQuest512-2.2 uses a high-stability, 512-element Hamamatsu Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs)-array detector in a compact optical bench with two-stage thermoelectric cooler and low-noise electronics. Depending on the configuration - a half-dozen grating options and five sizes of optical bench entrance slits are available - optical resolution of ~0.5 nm-5.0 nm (FWHM) is possible. Higher-resolution setups are especially useful for characterising lasers.

External hardware triggering functions allow users to capture data when an external event occurs, or to trigger an event after data acquisition. This capability can be especially useful for capturing data from automated processes or from devices such as solar simulators that flash synchronously.

The SpectraSuite Operating Software used by the spectrometer is a modular, Java-based spectroscopy platform that operates in Windows, Mac OS and Linux operating systems. In addition, NIRQuest512-2.2 can be bundled with the Remora Network Adapter from Ocean Optics to turn the system into a multi-user spectral data server over Ethernet or your existing Wi-Fi connection.

With the addition of the NIRQuest512-2.2, Ocean Optics now offers NIR spectrometer options with spectral response from 900-1700 nm, 900-2050 nm, 900-2200 nm and 900-2500 nm. Multiple grating, optical bench and accessory options make it possible to configure a NIRQuest system for a variety of applications in medical diagnostics, food and beverage monitoring, pharmaceuticals analysis, environmental monitoring, process control and more.

For further information, e-mail: Jessica.vanHeck@oceanoptics.eu or view website: www.OceanOptics.eu   Refer to page 245

Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Technology selected by the Medical Research Council for groundbreaking Metabolomics and Lipidomics research

The Human Nutrition Research (HNR) unit of the Medical Research Council (MRC) in Cambridge, UK, has selected the Thermo Scientific LTQ Orbitrap Velos, MALDI LTQ Orbitrap XL and Exactive mass spectrometers. These systems leverage proprietary Thermo Scientific Orbitrap mass-analyzer technology, the recognized standard for accurate mass and high-resolution measurement, to provide precise and reliable information. The MRC is using Orbitrap™ technology for high-throughput and high-performance metabolomic and lipidomic profiling that has not been possible using traditional mass spectrometry instrumentation.

The Bioanalytical Sciences division at HNR, led by Professor Dietrich Volmer, is a center of excellence for developing innovative approaches to measure biomarkers for processes such as insulin resistance, energy expenditure and the availability of dietary nutrients within the body. The division uses modern biochemical and mass spectrometry techniques to conduct research aimed at identifying biomarkers for diagnosing and detecting the progress of nutrition-related human diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Professor Volmer's goal is to build a unique population-based lipidomics platform allowing the application of studies of 10,000 or more samples. This platform will be used to establish biomarkers of nutritional intake, health and disease. For the MRC, a solution that offered high resolution and enhanced sensitivity was imperative to enable the development of its groundbreaking lipidomics platform.

Professor Volmer, head of Bioanalytical Sciences at MRC HNR and Dr. Albert Koulman, senior research scientist in the Bioanalytical Sciences division comment: "We are delighted that our unit will feature cutting-edge technology dedicated to lipidomic research. Our primary focus will be on the development of high-throughput lipidomic profiling methods, but we also have the facilities to analyze specific lipids in large sample sets. The Orbitrap instruments are very reliable and maintenance-free while providing the high resolution and sensitivity that is essential to our research."

Metabolomics and lipidomics are relatively new scientific disciplines, currently driven by the performance of the analytical instrumentation used. Professor Volmer recently received an award of £2 million from a translational medicine funding call of the MRC to establish the Cambridge Lipidomics Biomarker Research Initiative (CLBRI) within his research division. The MRC has recently purchased four mass spectrometers based on Orbitrap technology: an LTQ Orbitrap Velos™ biomarker discovery platform, a MALDI LTQ Orbitrap XL™ instrument as well as two Exactive™ benchtop liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) systems. The Exactive instruments will be used in the high-throughput biomarker screening stages of the CLBRI projects, whereas the Orbitrap Velos will be applied to more detailed structural identification research such as those performed in biomarker qualification applications.

The initial experiments performed by Professor Volmer's team in collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific have demonstrated the unique capability of Orbitrap technology to perform both targeted and non-targeted lipidomics profiling experiments in large sample sets. The MALDI LTQ Orbitrap XL provides unparalleled sensitivity for MSⁿ analyses, a rapid scan rate, high mass accuracy and up to 100k resolving power. This enables the MRC to perform targeted analysis of phospholipids as well as unbiased profiling. The ability to apply both strategies in one experiment is an important step forward in the comprehensive analysis of the metabolome and the lipidome in particular.

The Thermo Scientific Exactive is fast, easy-to-use and cost-effective to operate, making it an ideal instrument for non-experts and experienced mass spectrometry users. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry with instruments capable of measuring m/z ratios with relative mass measurement uncertainties of 1 ppm or less and sufficient scan speeds, researchers at the MRC are able to combine two strategies, allowing unbiased profiling of biological samples and targeted analysis of specific compounds in a single analysis without compromise.

For further information, e-mail: analyze@thermofisher.com   Refer to next page

Collaboration with CPI leads to improved bioprocess efficiency

Stratophase, a specialist in real-time chemical and biochemical measurement and detection, has collaborated with the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) to develop an Insertion Probe variant of its unique SpectroSens system. Enabling real-time monitoring of the bioproduction fermentation process, the multi-output SpectroSens Insertion Probes track compositional changes and monitor temperature in the liquid. Multiple discrete readings can be taken simultaneously at numerous locations, providing more reliable measurements and a reduced chance of false positives. As a result, the entire fermentation process can be precisely monitored to ensure excellent reproducibility and clear determination of the desired end-point.

The SpectroSens system sensors can be placed throughout the production process and networked via the control and analysis unit. Using only light at the point of measurement, the sensors are intrinsically safe and spark-free, removing any chances of ignition. The new Insertion Probe fits standard ports for dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH probes, enabling ultra-high resolution, optical microchip technology to be applied to existing benchtop and large-scale bioreactor equipment. Other tried and tested applications of the new SpectroSens Insertion Probe include biofuel production and sustainable polymer development.

The new Insertion Probe from Stratophase.

Jerry Cooper, Projects Manager of CPI explained the new development saying "Stratophase's new Insertion Probe allows us to find out more, in real-time, about what is happening in the bioproduction process. This has considerable benefits in terms of improved QC and potentially major cost-savings, offering the prospect of significant improvement over current technologies." Commenting for Stratophase, Dr Richard Williams, CEO added, "This collaboration with CPI has enabled us to refine what our technology can offer within this industry, and we are delighted to see the successful use of the SpectroSens Insertion Probe system." The SpectroSens Insertion Probe system is currently being trialled at the UK's National Industrial Biotechnology Facility (NIBF).

Stratophase in profile
Stratophase is a VC-funded spin-out from the University of Southampton in the UK.  Its unique SpectroSens technology is an optical microchip sensor which measures chemical processes and detects biological targets. This core optical measurement technology can be realised in a vast array of sensing heads, offering a wide variety of system configurations applicable to a broad spectrum of industries including chemical and biochemical production as well as biological detection.

The Stratophase team, guided by CEO Dr Richard Williams, includes the original inventors of the SpectroSens technology as well as senior managers with a many years of industry experience.

For further information about Stratophase and the SpectroSens system, view website: www.stratophase.com   Refer to page 241
CPI in profile
The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) was established by One North East as a UK wide resource to stimulate and drive innovation within the Process Industry. Working with global industry partners and leading research universities CPI is committed to delivering world-class, groundbreaking applied research and development.

For further information, view website: www.uk-cpi.com