Thermo Scientific's Bioservative protects valuable cells and biomolecules against degradation without refrigeration

Thermo Scientific's Bioservative, ensures a sample preservation matrix that does not require refrigeration, the cell viability of microbiological samples for up to seven days and delays the breakdown of RNA, DNA and peptides within a sample for up to 26 days. Bacterial cells taken from the sampling environment and stored in Bioservative are held in a state of suspended metabolic activity, stopping continued growth and allowing accurate analysis of the bacterial content. The matrix also stabilizes the sample pH, preventing cell death and pH hydrolysis of biological molecules. Preservation of samples in this way protects against freeze-thaw damage, enabling convenient aliquoting from batch materials in long term storage.

Thermo Scientific's Bioservative, ensures a sample preservation matrix that does not require refrigeration,

Pharmaceutical, biomolecular, environmental, bioremediation and hygiene samples often contain fragile constituents that degrade rapidly if stored incorrectly. And getting samples into cold storage quickly enough to prevent this breakdown presents significant logistical challenges. Maintaining the integrity of sensitive sample components is critical to effective downstream processing and measurement. Additionally, bacteria collected within microbiological samples continue to replicate after the sample is taken, potentially destroying the sample with biased overgrowth and cell lysis. The Thermo Scientific Bioservative storage matrix provides the support necessary for the samples after they have been collected, boosting the efficacy of downstream analysis and generating more reliable data from the available material. 

For further information, view website: www.thermoscientific.com/bioservative  Refer to next page

Fast, fluid and natural microscopy using your computer monitor

Olympus' new DP26, a five megapixel colour digital camera is optimised for viewing, documentation, reporting and analysis using your microscope. The new camera is ideal for browsing a sample using the monitor, utilising a rapid progressive scan readout that provides fluid, natural panning and focusing, and avoids distracting artefacts. This removes the physical strain imposed by using the eyepieces, improving user comfort and efficiency. It also facilitates simultaneous sample viewing, whether in research, teaching, medical diagnostics or the inspection and analysis of materials. A high level of sensitivity ensures that the analysis of darkly stained samples or the use of dark-field illumination yields reliable, accurate images.  In addition, the camera can differentiate even the most subtle colour differences due to the impressive colour reproducibility of the sensor. As part of an integrated microscopy system, the DP26 frees you from the eyepiece and allows you to focus on your data.

By utilising the Olympus DP26 camera, users can comfortably browse and focus on their sample and discuss data with colleagues or students, without needing to use the eyepiece. Workflow efficiency is improved, and prolonged use is far less physically tiring than when using the oculars. The DP26 generates a live image feed that is fast, fluid and free from distracting artefacts such as image striping or colour ghosts. This is achieved via the utilisation of an advanced progressive scan mode, which is available at all supported resolutions and utilises a rapid FireWire connection to the computer and monitor. A frame rate of 16 frames per second or greater is possible at the resolutions offered by most laboratory monitors, providing comfortable live viewing. However, for specialist equipment capable of displaying 5 megapixels, the system can provide an impressive refresh rate of 7 frames per second, even at this very high resolution. The colours produced using the DP26 are true to those seen through the eyepieces, with high fidelity guaranteed via the Olympus True Colour function, which is further enhanced when combined with the Olympus True Colour LED light source. Moreover, the high sensitivity (ISO 400) of the DP26 makes it perfect for performing phase-contrast/dark-field microscopy or working with darkly stained samples, while the high dynamic range of the system produces vivid, crisp images, rich in detail.

The DP26 is available in available in two version, optimised either for desktop or laptop use. It is fully supported by all Olympus software, including cellSens for life science users and the OLYMPUS Stream series of materials science software solutions. Both provide automatic shading correction, rapid white balance adjustment, auto-exposure, measurements tools and more. In addition, data is stored and accessed using an intuitive file manager, which records exposure settings, magnification, and other parameters for easy future reference. The DP26 removes the physical strain of eyepiece-based microscopy by providing an intuitive, fast, free-flowing live feed ideal for intensive sample browsing or long sessions at your microscope.

For further information, e-mail: microscopy@olympus-europa.com or view website: www.microscopy.olympus.eu  Refer to page 289

Optical Biodetector successfully
detects Anthrax and Ricin toxin in tests

Stratophase, a specialist in real-time chemical and biochemical measurement, has recently announced the successful completion of the Portable Integrated Battlespace Biological Detection Technology (PIBBDT) project. The work, led by manufacturer Biral and funded by the UK Ministry of Defence, involved a consortium of commercial, academic and military specialists with expertise in collector technology, bio-detection and micro-fluidics. These skills were utilised as part of a proof-of-principle contract to build two fully functioning portable prototype systems for detecting biohazards in an atmospheric environment, which were tested in an exposure chamber using model-agents to simulate the relevant biohazards.

The project demonstrated the feasibility of using the complete system to collect biological factors from the atmosphere, concentrate them in a liquid sample, and then detect pre-defined hazardous materials within the sample using Stratophase's optical microchip detector. The microchip was also tested separately in laboratories at Dstl's bioagent exposure facility with real targets including several well-known bio-warfare factors, such as B. anthracis (the causative agent of anthrax) and Ricin toxin. This microchip employs Stratophase's proprietary optical technology in combination with immunoassay receptor chemistry to detect biological agents with a high degree of specificity and sensitivity, forming an essential part of the prototype system.

The optical microchip technology developed by Stratophase detects changes in the refractive index of a liquid passing over its surface. When used as a bio-detector, the chip is coated with specific antibodies that bind with high specificity and affinity to biological targets. When a given toxin, bacteria or virus is present in the sample it binds and triggers a positive detection.

In response to the successful completion of the project, Richard Williams, Stratophase's chief executive, commented: "The PIBBDT project represents a major development in the generation of a specific biological detection technology for use by the UK's armed forces. This prototype system is an excellent example of how Stratophase's robust, flexible optical microchip technology can be used to perform precise and dependable measurements."

For further information, view website: www.stratophase.com   Refer to page 300

Dolomite and Cavendish Laboratory develop
innovative device for optical micromanipulation of cells

In collaboration with Cavendish Laboratory (Department of Physics at the University of Cambridge), Dolomite, a world leader in the design and manufacture of microfluidic solutions, has designed a glass microfluidic device for a novel laser tool that allows the study of mechanical properties of cells using optical stretching on a single cell basis.

This new device can be used to trap and deform individual biological cells benefiting a wide range of application areas including cancer diagnosis, stem cell analysis and cell sorting.

Working closely with Dr. Jochen Guck and his team from the Cavendish Laboratory Dolomite developed a multi-layered glass microfluidic chip featuring 3 inlets. Its unique design integrates both fluidic and optical fibre channels allowing the chip to be used as a two beam laser optical trap for cell mechanical measurements. One of the fabrication challenges was to ensure the optical fibres were aligned to micron accuracy so that the two laser beams met in a microchannel allowing the cells to be captured.

T.he study of mechanical properties of cells

After aligning, the fluid-borne cells are exposed to laser beams, which stretch them to probe their elasticity. Thus, cancerous cells, for example, can be detected as they are softer than healthy cells. The optical stretcher offers a very cost effective and time efficient solution which compares favourably to traditional methods used to measure cell mechanics.

For further information on Dolomite's design expertise as well as the complete portfolio of microfluidic products including chips, connectors/ interconnects, pumps, valves and custom devices view website: www.dolomite-microfluidics.com  Refer to page 289