Millipore introduces Millicell culture plates

Millipore has introduced a 24-well plate and new single-well inserts for cell culture assays. These products are optimized to support suspension and adherent cell growth and differentiation. Additionally, the platform design enhances usability in a range of laboratory environments. Both platforms incorporate track-etched thin film membranes for reliable monolayer formation, microscopically transparent membranes for easy cell visualization and fluorescent-compatible plastics and membranes.

The 24-well plate is designed for maximum user convenience and includes features that maintain assay integrity. Additionally, the 24-well Millicell cell culture plate has twice the membrane surface area compared with other 24-well plates. This allows researchers to utilize greater cell mass, which more closely models cell behavior. The plates are automation compatible and reduce the risk of monolayer contamination with "footed" membrane plates that remain elevated when disassembled from the feeder tray and raised-well edges for better tape seating.

For further details, visit www.millipore.com

Absolute specular reflectance accessory from Thermo

Thermo Electron Corporation has introduced its new VN Absolute Specular Reflectance accessory for use with its Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 UV-Vis spectrophotometer series. The Absolute Specular Reflectance accessory incorporates the VN optical design, which provides significant advantages over other available specular reflectance methods. The new Thermo VN accessory will have research and QC applications for anti-reflective coatings, multi-layer coatings, multilayer dielectric coatings, thin films and laser mirrors.

Thermo's new VN accessory offers significant design advantages over traditional relative and VW specular reflectance accessories. Unlike relative designs, Thermo's VN accessory is highly accurate and does not require the purchasing of expensive calibrated specular standards, such as first-surface aluminum mirrors to obtain absolute measurements. The Thermo accessory is also not dependent on maintaining the quality of the standard surface which can introduce erroneous results.

With the VW design accessory, the light bounces off the sample surface two times, requiring a larger sample surface to accommodate two reflections. In addition, because two separate areas of the sample surface are measured, errors may result if the sample is not homogeneous.

For further details, visit www.thermo.com/uv-vis

Esco introduces Labculture Biohazard Safety Cabinet

Esco has launched its Labculture Class II Type A2 Biohazard Safety Cabinet. The design is an optimum combination of safety, performance, serviceability and ergonomic factors. This cabinet is suitable for general microbiological work with agents assigned to biological safety levels I, II or III, and is designed to protect the user from exposure to biologically hazardous aerosols / particulates generated within the work zone, the product / samples / processes inside the cabinet from ambient contamination present in room air, against cross contamination between different samples in the work zone.

The Esco Labculture cabinets are equipped with superior ULPA filters, which operate at a typical efficiency of >99.999% at 0.12 microns, which provide ISO Class 3 air cleanliness within the cabinet work zone. These filters provide a higher level of personnel, product and cross contamination protection as compared to conventional HEPA filters (99.99% efficient). Additionally, the cabinet's airflow is self-regulating; the motor / blower system is able to compensate automatically to maintain airflow as the filter is loaded with particulates.

A state-of-the-art unit with a microprocessor based control system, the cabinet allows the user to easily access all control and safety functions.

For details, contact: escobiotech@vsnl.net

Cambrex offers G-protein coupled receptors

Cambrex has introduced G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). These receptors are a large super-family of cell-surface proteins whose function is to transduce information from extra cellular space to the cell interior by stimulating (or inhibiting) second messenger systems. Included in this family are receptors for neurotransmitters (such as receptors for dopamine, acetyl choline and histamine) as well as receptors for brain and gut peptides (e.g. bradykinin, gallanin, and various neuropeptides). GPCRs are an important super-family comprising some 800 different members. Drugs currently on the market that do interact with GPCRs interact with only about 100 out of the 800 possible GPCRs. GPCRs still represent un-tapped potential for drug discovery.

For details, contact: biosales@cambrexindia.com