MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation' source. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:32:09 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358717&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553510000328%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358717 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:13 +0100 3358717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358716&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509003128%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes According to Petrolab, this new tool is for monitoring and control of oxidation stability (aging) of oils, fats, greases, and other products such as proprietary antioxidant and shelf life additives used by food, fragrance, and cosmetic industries. Among the key features of the new tester are faster test times, compared with traditional testing methods as well as clear and easily understood test results. The tester offers excellent repeatability and reproducibility of results along with simple handling procedures, small sample sizes, improved user safety, automatic operation, and simple cleaning procedures. The user-friendly PetroOXY is considered ideal for fast and simple stability spot checks as well as routine monitoring of products. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Aut... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358716 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:13 +0100 3358716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358715&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553510000043%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358715 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:13 +0100 3358715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358714&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509003104%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358714 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:13 +0100 3358714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358713&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553510000055%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358713 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:13 +0100 3358713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358712&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553510000225%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358712 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:13 +0100 3358712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358711&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553510000213%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358711 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:13 +0100 3358711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358710&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509003116%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes April 5–9 2010 MRS Spring Meeting: San Francisco, CA (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358710 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:13 +0100 3358710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358709&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS153555350900286X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Carbon nanopipettes (CNPs), nanoprobes that integrate carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into larger easily maneuverable devices, provide a viable means of performing cell surgery with carbon-based nanostructures. Taking advantage of the nanoscopic tubular geometry and unique material properties of CNTs, CNPs facilitate minimally invasive cell probing, low-volume intracellular fluid injection, sensitive electrical measurements of cell signals, and other unique analytical abilities not possible with traditional glass-based cell probing technology. In this technology review, we highlight the cell probing applications where CNPs were used as nanoneedles for intracellular injection and nanoelectrodes for cell electrophysiology. Besides summarizing the proven capabilities of CNPs, the intent of this revie... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358709 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:12 +0100 3358709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358708&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553510000031%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Increases in the use of protein-based pharmaceuticals require the development of cost-effective methods of storage and transport of sensitive biomolecules. In this article, we review the general problems of protein stabilization, aspects specific to antibodies, and a proposed method for protecting proteins based on nanostructured hydrogels. This review is not intended to be comprehensive, but instead to provide the reader with specific examples that capture some of the key challenges and opportunities of the field. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358708 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:12 +0100 3358708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358707&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS153555350900241X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes This report reviews the design of PC biosensors, their associated detection instrumentation, and biological applications. Applications including high-throughput screening of small molecules, cell membrane integrin activation, gene expression analysis, and protein biomarker detection are highlighted. Recent results in which PC surfaces are used for enhancing the detection of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and the development of high-resolution PC-based laser biosensors are also described. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358707 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:12 +0100 3358707 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358706&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002445%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Superhydrophilic surfaces are investigated for their potential to provide antifogging and antifouling properties for microfluidic devices. Two types of exemplary superhydrophilic surfaces are prepared, including polyester films treated by oxygen plasma and indium tin oxide-coated glasses treated by an electrochemical method. The superhydrophilicity of the treated surfaces presented herein is confirmed by their near-zero water contact angles. Their corresponding antifogging and antifouling capability is examined. The fluorescence microscopic study has confirmed the significantly reduced adhesion of the fluorescein and fluorescent proteins after the surfaces are treated to be superhydrophilic, indicating their potential for antifouling applications. The degradation of the superhydrophilicity... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358706 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:12 +0100 3358706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358705&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002457%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes We review the past development of highly sensitive and selective gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based assays of protein and DNA biomarkers for chip-based detection systems. The microfluidic systems, various assays, and preliminary laboratory results are shown. AuNP-based biodetection assays provide low detection threshold, offering promises for multiplexed diagnostics of many forms of disease markers. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358705 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:12 +0100 3358705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358704&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS153555351000002X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes On-chip cryopreservation of biological cells under low-temperature environments has been successfully demonstrated using a microfabricated chip with an incubation microchamber and microfluidic channels. Microheaters are used as both the resistive heating elements and temperature sensors to control the temperature profile of microenvironment under the liquid nitrogen cooling process. A two-step, temperature-controlled, on-chip cryopreservation process is applied for yeast cells, and after the thawing process, 74% cell survival rate has been accomplished. The reference experiment conducted without using the temperature control results in 27% cell survival rate. As such, this technique could have potential applications in on-chip cryopreservation processes, including those for sperm, embryo, ... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358704 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:12 +0100 3358704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358703&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002408%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes A highly sensitive biodetection technology using nanomagnetic sensors and magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) was developed. Absorption of magnetic NPs by the hybridized DNA alters the sensor resistance and generated electrical signals that can be directly measured with the off-die or on-die circuitry. Assays with DNA concentration down to sub-10pM with a dynamic range of three orders of magnitude were demonstrated. The proposed biochip can be applied to other bioreaction detections, for example, protein assay, through different surface modifications. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358703 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:12 +0100 3358703 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358702&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509003098%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes In a concept article C. Bernlind and C. Urbaniczky outline a successful strategy for rolling out an automation concept on a broad basis to AstraZeneca Process R&D laboratories. Examples of hardware and software are presented as well as a couple of examples related to process safety (Org. Process Res. Dev. 2009, 13, 1059–1067). (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358702 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:12 +0100 3358702 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358701&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553510000195%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358701 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:48:12 +0100 3358701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124426&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002809%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124426 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:26 +0100 3124426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124425&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS153555350900238X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes According to A2 Technologies, its Exoscan hand-held FTIR is now available with diffuse reflectance sampling interface. This new capability extends the system's range of applications. For example, in geoscience, the Exoscan system is analyzing the components of soil, sand, and rock to determine specific composition and origin. In art conservation, the noncontact capability of the diffuse reflectance interface is critical to ensure that highly valuable art is not damaged by the analysis. In the study of composites, the diffuse reflectance interface has proven highly effective in looking at highly IR absorbing carbon fiber-rich sections of cured resin-fiber matrices. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124425 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:26 +0100 3124425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124424&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002421%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124424 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:26 +0100 3124424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124423&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002366%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124423 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:26 +0100 3124423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124422&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS153555350900272X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124422 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:26 +0100 3124422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124421&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002718%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124421 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:26 +0100 3124421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124420&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002391%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes February 10 LRIG New England Meeting: Location TBD (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124420 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:26 +0100 3124420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124419&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002184%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes “If the measure of a person is in the positive impact they made in others' lives, then Tony stood ten feet tall.” – Andy Zaayenga (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124419 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:26 +0100 3124419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124418&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000793%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes The HID EVOlution—qPCR/STR Setup System enables automation of DNA quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) setup, normalization of DNA sample, and PCR setup for short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. The HID EVOlution System tracks sample and reagent information and facilitates data transfer of DNA quantification, normalization, and PCR setup for STR analysis steps, eliminating the need for manual processing and repetitive data entry. Instruments for the automated system include a Tecan Freedom EVO 150 robot for liquid handling, the 7500 Real-Time PCR System for DNA quantification, the GeneAmp PCR System 9700 for STR amplification, and the 3130xl Genetic Analyzer for the detection of amplified STR fragments. Validation studies including reproducibility, accuracy, correlation, ... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124418 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:26 +0100 3124418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124417&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001555%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes A Tecan EVO Workstation and Innovadyne Nanodrop II liquid dispenser have been integrated to provide an automated miniaturized cytochrome P450 inhibition assay, using 1536-well plate technology. The Tecan EVO was used to perform larger volume bulk reagent and compound dilution operations along with plate manipulations using the Tecan Robotic Manipulator. All reagent additions to the 1536-well microplates were performed exclusively by the Nanodrop dispenser, which is capable of accurate and precise pipetting at volumes as low as 100nL. Miniaturization from 96- to 1536-well plate formats has enabled a fourfold increase in P450 inhibition assay capacity, while reducing reagent costs by approximately 20-fold. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124417 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:25 +0100 3124417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124416&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001543%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes The migratory or proliferative responses mounted by wounded cell monolayers are important to drug discovery and drug safety testing, as well as to basic research across a number of disciplines, including stem-cell biology, cell biology, ophthalmology, endocrinology, microbiology, oncology, and developmental biology. Scratch wounding by mechanical means is the golden standard to achieve an appropriate model system in which to study these cellular reactions. The scratch wounding technique is plagued by wound size irregularity, release of cytosolic contents along the wound edge, and difficulty in scaling up to higher throughput screening. To address these issues, we developed a microfluidic device coupled to a well plate in which wounds were produced enzymatically using highly controlled lami... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124416 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:25 +0100 3124416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124415&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS153555350900152X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes We evaluated automated nucleic acid (NA) extraction from a variety of different biological specimens using the QIAsymphony SP instrument. QIAsymphony DNA kits were used for DNA purification from human blood and from diverse human and animal tissue specimens. RNA was isolated from human blood stabilized in PAXgene Blood RNA tubes with the QIAsymphony PAXgene Blood RNA kit, and from human colon and bladder carcinoma biopsies using the QIAsymphony RNA kit. Photometric measurement, gel electrophoresis, and LabChip analysis on an Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer (Agilent, Palo Alto, California) showed that the purified NAs were highly pure and intact, and that excellent yields were obtained. The DNA purified from blood and tissues performed well in single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis, s... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124415 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:25 +0100 3124415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124414&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002160%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes We present the conceptual design, implementation, and our user-experience of “Adam,” which uses machine intelligence to autonomously investigate the function of genes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These investigations involve cycles of hypothesis formation, design of experiments to test these hypotheses, physical execution of the experiments using laboratory automation, and the analysis of the results. The physical execution of the experiments involves growing specific yeast strains in specific media and measuring growth curves. Hundreds of such experiments can be executed daily without human intervention. We believe Adam to be the first machine to have autonomously discovered novel scientific knowledge. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124414 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:25 +0100 3124414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124413&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002172%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Screening biological readouts in cell culture are increasing in frequency and throughput. In such assays, cell types may be rare and reagents or compounds may be expensive often resulting in a reduced number of conditions and/or replicates. “Tubeless” microfluidics offers a method to reduce this burden, as has been previously shown. In addition the In-Cell Western (ICW) has recently been adapted to microfluidic cultures allowing high throughput analysis of immunocytochemistry in microfluidic channels. Combining automated liquid handling in tubeless microfluidics with the ICW provides rapid and quantitative high throughput cell-based screens. Here, we validate this platform using three parameters: operational robustness (pipetting reliability), cell seeding consistency, and cell stainin... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124413 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:24 +0100 3124413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124412&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000240%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Blood tests are one of the core processes in the clinical laboratory test field. In hospitals, an automated process called total laboratory automation (TLA), which relies on a set of sophisticated equipment, is normally adopted for the tests. Noting that the TLA system typically has a large footprint and requires a significant amount of power, slim, and easy-to-move blood test equipment is necessary for some specific demands such as emergency rooms or small-size local clinics. Although various portable blood test systems are introduced and popularly used in many labs, the test processes of these systems are not usually flexible. In the present work, a new scheduling algorithm called reduced idle time (RIT) is developed for a small-scale portable Bio Robot platform. The RIT can successfully... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124412 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:24 +0100 3124412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124411&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS153555350900210X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes We report here that these automated systems improve the accuracy and precision of the ChemoFx assay. These systems also reduce technician time and human-induced variability. We propose that such automated systems could be incorporated into other cell-based assays and would provide increased confidence that such assays could be used to provide clinically useful information. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124411 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:24 +0100 3124411 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124410&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002378%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes R. E. Dolle et al. have published the 12th installment of the comprehensive survey series in combinatorial chemistry. Biologically active libraries reported in 2008 are summarized from the areas of proteases, nonproteolytic enzymes, G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), non-GPCRs, and oncolytics/anti-infectives and biological probes. Overall there are 505 libraries and 30 molecular probes extracted from 490 literature citations. Approximately 90% of the citations originated from academic laboratories and approximately 80% of the chemical libraries relied on solution-phase synthesis for their preparation (J. Comb. Chem. 2009, 11, 739–790). (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124410 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:13:24 +0100 3124410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995584&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002317%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995584 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:32 +0100 2995584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995583&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002123%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes The Exoscan portable FTIR spectrometer system now offers increased sampling and usability capabilities that extend its capability to an array of applications for lab and/or field use. New sampling interfaces for the Exoscan system include internal reflectance, grazing angle reflectance, diffuse reflectance, and specular reflectance. With these enhancements, Exoscan can accommodate liquids, powders, pastes, and reflective and nonreflective solids. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995583 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:32 +0100 2995583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995582&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002111%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes “…ALA is an impressive best practices model from which other associations and professional societies learn.” (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995582 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:32 +0100 2995582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995581&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002081%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes “ALA and JALA have become the intersection at which the vitality of like minds not only connects, but combusts and creates.” (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995581 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:32 +0100 2995581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995580&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002226%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995580 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:32 +0100 2995580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995579&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002214%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995579 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:32 +0100 2995579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995578&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002354%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995578 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:32 +0100 2995578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995577&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002342%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995577 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:32 +0100 2995577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995576&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509002093%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes December 5–8 2009 ASH Annual Meeting: New Orleans, LA (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995576 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:32 +0100 2995576 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995575&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001026%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Cartridge-based microfluidics is a promising technology for clinical diagnostics. By miniaturizing the fluid-handling processes required for genomic and proteomic analyses, reagent and specimen volume is minimized along with the size of the system. We demonstrate an automated microfluidic system capable of performing six multiplexed genomic and proteomic analyses simultaneously, by means of an integrated electrochemical sensor and embedded controls. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995575 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:32 +0100 2995575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995574&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001038%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes An innovative lab-on-a-chip device based on iridium oxide (IrOx) nanowires was designed, fabricated, and developed for real-time “point-of-care” diagnostics. The turnaround time in detection and the need for expensive equipment for analysis have considverably limited rapid and “point-of-care” diagnosis. This research demonstrates the potential of IrOx nanowires toward early disease diagnosis by detecting proteins that are disease markers. The device designed is based on electrical detection of protein biomarkers wherein a single capture immunoassay is built onto a vertically aligned IrOx nanowire platform. Detection of two inflammatory proteins, C-reactive protein (CRP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) (Calbiochem, La Jolla, CA), that are biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases is demonstra... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995574 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:32 +0100 2995574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995573&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001488%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes An automated tandem mass spectrometry–based analysis using precursor ion and neutral loss scans in a triple quadrupole (QqQ) mass spectrometer has been used to identify and quantify changes in the abundances of glycerophospholipids extracted from retina and erythrocytes in a rat streptozotocin model of type 1 diabetes, 6 and 36 weeks after the induction of diabetes, compared with age-matched nondiabetic controls. The utility of an “internal standard” method compared with an “internal standard free” method for quantification of differences in the abundances of specific lipid ions was evaluated in both retina and erythrocyte lipid extracts. In retina, equivalent results were obtained by using the internal standard and internal standard free methods for quantification. In erythrocy... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995573 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:31 +0100 2995573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995572&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001567%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Cell-based, phenotypic screening of small molecules often identifies compounds with provocative biological properties. However, determining the cellular target(s) and/or mechanism of action (MoA) of lead compounds remains an extremely challenging and time-consuming exercise. To provide insights into a compound's cellular action and greatly reduce the time required for MoA determination, we have developed a screening platform consisting of an extensive series of reporter gene assays (RGAs). A collection of >11,000 compounds of known MoA (e.g., World Drug Index entries) were screened against the entire panel. The output provided evidence that an RGA signature could be ascribed to numerous, biologically diverse MoAs. The reference database generated suggested novel biological activity for par... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995572 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:31 +0100 2995572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995571&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001415%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes We describe continuous synthesis of nanostructures in microfluidic systems consisting of multiple sub–millimeter-sized channels in which fluid flows continuously and chemical reactions take place. The small reaction volumes combined with the high heat and mass transfer rates enable reactions to be performed under more controlled conditions with higher yields than can typically be achieved with conventional reactors. Moreover, manipulation of reaction parameters, while the reaction proceeds, allows optimization of synthesis conditions. The ability to work at elevated temperatures and pressures while confining potentially toxic, high reactive starting materials will become important for the synthesis of novel nanostructured materials. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Auto... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995571 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:31 +0100 2995571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995570&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001014%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes At SomaLogic, we have embarked on an ambitious program of clinical studies using a novel aptamer-based proteomics technology to discover biomarkers and develop new tools to diagnose, understand, and treat human disease. As part of this program, we designed and implemented an automated assay for its highly multiplexed proteomics discovery platform. The performance of the automated assay was validated in a study that compared the automated assay to the specifications of an established manual method. Results showed that the automated method performed to the required specifications, and that the automation system improved the efficiency, productivity, and economics of our biomarker discovery program. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995570 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:31 +0100 2995570 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995569&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001439%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Small molecules identified through high-throughput screens are an essential element in pharmaceutical discovery programs. It is now recognized that a substantial fraction of small molecules exhibit aggregating behavior leading to false positive results in many screening assays, typically due to nonspecific attachment to target proteins. Therefore, the ability to efficiently identify compounds within a screening library that aggregate can streamline the screening process by eliminating unsuitable molecules from further consideration. In this work, we show that photonic crystal (PC) optical biosensor microplate technology can be used to identify and quantify small-molecule aggregation. A group of aggregators and nonaggregators were tested using the PC technology, and measurements were compar... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995569 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:31 +0100 2995569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995568&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001798%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Backscattering interferometry (BSI), which uses a simple optical train comprising a He–Ne laser, a microfluidic channel, and a position sensor, has now enabled the measurement of both tethered and free-solution, label-free, molecular interactions within just nanoliters of sample. The simple macro-to-micro interface allows for a highly efficient assay work flow, which has been used to interrogate molecular binding interactions between proteins, ions and protein, and small molecules and proteins, with a high dynamic range of dissociation constants (KD) and unmatched sensitivity. With this technique, the equilibrium KD for several different binding partners was determined, typically using just picomole–micromole quantities of the binding pair at physiologically relevant concentrations. (S... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995568 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:31 +0100 2995568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995567&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001385%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes In this report, we use recent examples from our work to illustrate the potential of microfluidic cell- and particle-sorting devices. We demonstrate the potential of chip-based high-gradient magnetophoresis that enable high-purity separation through reversible trapping of target particles paired with high-stringency washing with minimal loss. We also describe our work in the development of devices that perform simultaneous multitarget sorting, either through precise control of magnetic and fluidic forces or through the integration of multiple actuation forces into a single monolithic device. We believe that such devices may serve as a powerful “front-end” module of highly integrated analytical platforms capable of providing actionable diagnostic information directly from crude, unproces... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995567 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:30 +0100 2995567 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995566&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001816%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Automated semipreparative LC/MS systems are now well established commercially and commonly used for purification of early stage drug discovery compounds. A number of vendors have instruments on the market that are capable of reliably purifying compounds with good water/acetonitrile solubility. However, these systems often fail when the sample has poor solubility, extreme polarity, and/or poor ionization. Even in cases when substantial optimization has been done before purification, a certain percent of failures to recover the desired product is unavoidable. In the past, when most of the samples run on LC/MS semipreparative systems were large combinatorial libraries, some losses in this high-throughput mode were acceptable. However, now the focus shifted to smaller libraries with higher pur... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995566 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:39:30 +0100 2995566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772330&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001749%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772330 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:34 +0100 2772330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772329&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001221%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes According to Aalborg, its new TPU tube pumps are ideally suited for liquids of low-to-medium viscosity. Chemically resistant tubing materials and new peristaltic pump head technology combine to meet the demands for reliable, long-term pump operation. Four stainless steel rollers (eight roller option is available) minimize pulsation and promote longer tube life. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772329 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:34 +0100 2772329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772328&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001440%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes When ALA adopted its strategic plan in 2008, one important initiative was to advance the science and education of laboratory automation through the continued development of our organization's global identity, reach, and influence. Since then, the ALA Board of Directors and staff have worked to expand existing and cultivate new strategic relationships with targeted organizations and thought leaders. Progress has been impressive and productive and, as planned and hoped, is encouraging the amalgamation of ALA among key industries, academia, government, and continents. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772328 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:34 +0100 2772328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772327&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001464%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes I've been on the job as the JALA editor-in-chief for almost a year already, and one of the most satisfying things about it is how often I hear praise and surprise from colleagues to whom I introduce the journal. My day job takes me around the globe regularly, and regardless of whether I'm working with graduate students in our laboratory at Northwestern University, dining with colleagues at Taiwan University, making a presentation to scholars in St. Petersburg, Russia, connecting with nanodiamond specialists in Los Angeles, meeting dignitaries at the University of Beijing, or struggling with 100-degree heat and unreliable Internet connections in Singapore, I am always aware of the “other hat” that sits figuratively on my head—that of being JALA editor-in-chief. (Source: Journal of the... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772327 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:34 +0100 2772327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772326&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001609%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772326 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:34 +0100 2772326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772325&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001592%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772325 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:34 +0100 2772325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772324&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001452%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes October 1 Molecular Pathology Essentials: Copenhagen, Denmark (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772324 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:34 +0100 2772324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772323&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS153555350900077X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes This JALA feature story reports the results of two surveys conducted by the Association for Laboratory Automation (ALA) to evaluate the state of industrial laboratory automation. The purpose was to gain more insight into the results of the 2006 ALA survey by posing more detailed questions based on the 2006 responses. The 2008 survey polled 43 carefully selected ALA members whose organizations use laboratory automation. These organizations represented the biotech, pharmaceutical, agricultural science, consumer goods, materials and formulation, research institute, and government business sectors. The 2008 survey also polled 12 leading laboratory automation technology providers. Questions were designed to compare the trends, needs, and priorities of the user and provider communities. (Source:... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772323 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:34 +0100 2772323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772322&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001002%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes UCB Selected Lymphocyte Antibody Method (SLAM) is a rapid and efficient process for the generation of high-quality monoclonal antibodies, in which variable region gene sequences are recovered directly from specific, single B cells. Monoclonal antibody generation has been limited in the past by the relatively low efficiency of the hybridoma process. UCB SLAM process is well suited to high-throughput screening and has been extensively automated at UCB. If necessary, in excess of 1×109 B cells can be screened in a campaign, to discover a rare therapeutic antibody candidate, which meets the stringent selection criteria. Primary screening for antigen binders, on purified or cell expressed antigen, is performed using a homogeneous fluorescence assay format. Supernatants from positive wells are ... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772322 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:34 +0100 2772322 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772321&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001403%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes The HID EVOlution–Extraction System (Tecan Group Ltd., Mannedorf, Switzerland) was developed to automate DNA extraction from biological samples using the PrepFiler Automated Forensic DNA Extraction Kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). The system consists of a Tecan Freedom EVO 150 robot (Tecan Group Ltd., Mannedorf, Switzerland), a graphical user interface designed for use with Freedom EVOware software v 2.1 SP1 (Tecan Group Ltd., Mannedorf, Switerland) as well as instrument hardware and plastic to support the PrepFiler reagents and protocol. The DNA quality and quantity obtained were comparable to that observed with the corresponding manual extraction protocol. Purified DNA was free of inhibitors and ready for downstream applications, such as real-time quantitative PCR and PCR for... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772321 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:34 +0100 2772321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772320&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000513%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Drug-testing technologies, biosensor fabrication, tissue engineering, and basic biological research depend strongly on the patterning of live animal cells. Current techniques for controlling cellular adhesion are restricted with two primary limitations. Firstly, the complexity of the available patterns is very limited and, secondly, the pallet of materials that induce cellular patterning is exhaustible. Here, we demonstrate a method for computer-aided control of cell patterning using a scientific inkjet printer that yields a highly complex cellular pattern suitable for applications in regenerative medicine and rapid prototyping, and a strategy for using in situ polymerization for fabrication polymeric patterns directly on-chip. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772320 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:34 +0100 2772320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772319&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS153555350900080X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes An automated, flow-through ultrasonic lysis module that is capable of disrupting bacterial spores to increase the DNA available for biodetection is described. The system uses a flow-through chamber that allows for direct injection of the sample without the need for a chemical or enzymatic pretreatment step to disrupt the spore coat before lysis. Lysis of Bacillus subtilis spores, a benign simulant of Bacillus anthracis, is achieved by flowing the sample through a tube whose axis is parallel to the faces of two transducers that deliver 10Wcm−2 to the surface of the tube at 1.4-MHz frequency. Increases in amplifiable DNA were assessed by real-time PCR analysis that showed at least a 25-fold increase in amplifiable DNA after ultrasonic treatment with glass beads, compared with controls with... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772319 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:34 +0100 2772319 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772318&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508002712%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes This paper presents a visually servoed micropositioning system capable of automatically extracting locomotive features of Caenorhabditis elegans online at a full 30Hz. The employment of Gaussian Pyramid Level-2 images significantly reduces the image size by 16-fold and permits real-time feature extraction, without sacrificing accuracy due to the cubic smoothing spline fitting. The automated micropositioning system is capable of revealing subtle differences in locomotive behavior across strains. A total of 128 worms of four C. elegans strains with different numbers of muscle arms were continuously tracked for 3min per sample, and locomotive features were extracted online. Validated by experiments, the innovation in image analysis, or data reduction without sacrificing accuracy allows for r... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772318 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:33 +0100 2772318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772317&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS153555350900104X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Molecular diagnostics presents challenges to clinical laboratories that are under pressure to consolidate and automate. There is a need to evaluate molecular automation for process efficiency and suitability for high-throughput environments in core laboratories.A fully automated molecular instrument platform (the BD Viper System with XTR Technology in extracted mode [BD Viper System with XTR]), was evaluated for automation efficiency, labor requirements, and system robustness. System productivity was predicted using time and motion studies as well as process simulation.Preanalytical steps required 15min of skilled operator time. The BD Viper System with XTR fully automated DNA extraction, amplification, and analysis of 368 specimens (736 results for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea). Time and motio... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772317 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:33 +0100 2772317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772316&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000264%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Abstract: We have designed and fabricated a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic device for coupling capillary electrophoresis (CE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). The coupling is advantageous in biological research because CE has the power of separating analytes in a sample based on mobility difference and MALDI-MS provides accurate and sensitive mass analysis of the analytes. The goal is realized by fractionating the separated analytes inside the microfluidic device and pushing the analyte fractions into open reservoirs. Each analyte fraction is then mixed with a matrix solution and deposited on a MALDI target for MALDI-MS. Therefore, a two-step analysis of analytes in the form of CE-MALDI-MS is achieved by using the microfluidic device. ... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772316 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:33 +0100 2772316 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772315&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001397%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes There is a growing interest in the use of small molecules as chemical probes in parallel to classical genomic tools (gene expression, gene profiling, gene knockouts, and siRNA-based gene silencing, etc.) to understand biological functions. Small-molecule probes have the ability to modulate macromolecules, such as proteins, DNA, RNA, or carbohydrates, in a controlled, selective, and nondestructive manner. In addition to using them as chemical probes to understand biological function, these small molecules offer an excellent starting point for launching drug discovery programs and could be further developed as therapeutic candidates. In this regard, the development of natural product-inspired, high-throughput organic synthesis programs could be useful. Several examples of generating natural ... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772315 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:33 +0100 2772315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576350&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001191%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576350 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:41 +0100 2576350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576349&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000781%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes These new Paddle Wheel Flow Meters are designed for measuring very low liquid flow rates and for highly accurate temperature readings, considered easy to install and operate, feature one moving part, and their sapphire jewel bearings facilitate virtually friction-free impeller wheel rotations that result in linear low flow metering. Models constructed of polypropylene or chemically resistant PVDF can be mounted either horizontally or vertically. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576349 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:41 +0100 2576349 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576348&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000999%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes “…ALA leadership maintains a watchful eye to ensure that ALA members truly are benefitting from these new technology trends.” (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576348 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:41 +0100 2576348 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576347&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000525%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes “ALA members share more similarities than differences, and can learn a great deal from each other.” (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576347 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:41 +0100 2576347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576346&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000768%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes “This policy change is in direct line with ALA's mission and goals.” (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576346 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:41 +0100 2576346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576345&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001087%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576345 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:41 +0100 2576345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576344&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509001075%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576344 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:41 +0100 2576344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576343&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000756%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes August 2–7 42nd IUPAC Congress—Chemistry Solutions: Glasgow, UK (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576343 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:41 +0100 2576343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576342&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000537%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes I read with great interest the report of Napolitano et al. in the February, 2009 issue of JALA concerning countercurrent chromatography (CCC), because I had the privilege more than 40 years ago of briefly working in the laboratory at the Rockefeller Institute (now Rockefeller University) of Dr. Lyman C. Craig, the inventor of countercurrent distribution (CCD), the predecessor technology to CCC. These two technologies are virtually identical except for the mechanical sophistication. Each system provides for sequential partitions of a solute between a stationary solvent phase and a mobile solvent phase. It is understandable that the authors would not have known of Dr. Craig's work because it would not appear in current searchable databases. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576342 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:41 +0100 2576342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576341&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508002955%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Despite great strides made in the past decades, the detection of microbial pathogens and their toxins in foods remains a challenging task. This is due primarily to several inherent difficulties associated with food analysis, that is, the complexities of food matrices (inhibitors and normal flora), the attributes of target analytes in foods (low level, heterogeneous distribution, and cell injury during processing), and the ratio between the amount of food samples and the detection assay volume. This review aims to provide an overview and a better understanding of the limitations, current applications, and future perspectives in terms of pathogen and toxin detection in foods. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576341 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:41 +0100 2576341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576340&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508002943%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major changes in production and distribution practices in the global food industry are prompting increased scientific efforts to identify, understand, and control the transmission of microbial contaminants. Through the development of advanced diagnostic tools, significant inroads in microbial source tracking are making important contributions to the safety of the food supply. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576340 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:41 +0100 2576340 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576339&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508002931%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes A rapid and inexpensive DNA diagnostic platform for fingerprinting Cdn. registered, wheat varieties has been developed. Two current, real-time applications being used in Canada include the determination of purity (% contamination) of grain shipments in rail cars and the monitoring of field plots that represent a midge varietal blend. The quantification of a sample is accomplished by fingerprinting single seeds and a sample having a mixture of varieties can be assayed. The Rapid ID Technology (RIDT) platform enables high-speed, high-throughput, robotic labautomation and low-cost single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-DNA fingerprinting in wheat. The inexpensive seed DNA extraction method, rapid PCR amplification, and miniaturization of the Invader assay for SNP scoring are all paramount for f... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576339 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:40 +0100 2576339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576338&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000045%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes In this study, data recorded by a QCM-D apparatus were fitted into the Kevin–Voigt model, to quantify the whey protein adsorption on the polyethersulfone membrane surface. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576338 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:40 +0100 2576338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576337&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000276%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes In this study, an automated two-hybrid interaction protocol was used to find yeast genes encoding proteins that bind XI to identify potential targets for improving xylose utilization by S. cerevisiae. A pDEST32 vector re-engineered for TRP selection and containing the Gal4 binding domain fused with the Piromyces sp. E2 XI open reading frame (ORF) was used as bait with a library of LEU-selectable pOAD vectors containing the Gal4 activation domain in fusion with members of the S. cerevisiae genome ORF collection. Binding of a yeast ORF protein to XI activates two chromosomally located reporter genes in a PJ69-4 yeast strain to give selective growth. Five genes, including ADH1, were identified in the two-hybrid screen, suggesting the proteins encoded by these genes bind to XI. The effect of A... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576337 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:40 +0100 2576337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576336&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS153555350800292X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Engineering the industrial ethanologen Saccharomyces cerevisiae to use pentose sugars from lignocellulosic biomass is critical for commercializing cellulosic fuel ethanol production. Approaches to engineer pentose-fermenting yeasts have required expression of additional genes. We implemented a high-throughput strategy to improve anaerobic growth on xylose and rate of ethanol production by evaluating overexpression of each native S. cerevisiae gene from a collection of haploid PJ69-4 MATa strains expressing the gene open reading frames (ORFs) mated to a haploid PJ69-4 MATalpha strain expressing the Piromyces sp.E2 xylose isomerase (XI) gene. The resulting 6113 diploid strains containing the XI gene and a different yeast gene ORF were screened for growth on xylose in anaerobic plate cultures... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576336 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:40 +0100 2576336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576335&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000070%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes By studying a series of soybean oil-based polymers, using low-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, an easy method to estimate molecular weight (MW) was developed. The relationship between a polymer's MW and the instrument's response can be correlated in a linear relationship. Correlation constants (R2) of 0.988, when data were taken at −10°C, and 0.999, when the study was done at 0°C, were observed. Overall, this method is simple and with instrument modification, could be applied to other types of polymers as well. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576335 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:40 +0100 2576335 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576334&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000732%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes C. Gil and S. Bräse update their previous review in the field and summarize the literature published from 2002 describing methods for solid-phase synthesis of benzoannelated nitrogen heterocycles, motivated by the fact that these heterocycles are a pivotal element in modern drug discovery programs. The chapters on the cyclization methods for the preparation of five-, six-, and seven-membered benzoannelated rings are subdivided depending on the number of nitrogen atoms present in the ring system (J. Comb. Chem. 2009, 11, 175–197). (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576334 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:40 +0100 2576334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415961&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000707%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415961 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:09:26 +0100 2415961 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415960&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000367%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes How sub-microliter dispensing is achievable on the Bravo and VPrep automated liquid-handling platforms using high-performance disposable 10-μL pipette tips is described in this new technical note from Velocity11. Experiments demonstrate the precise, accurate, and consistent liquid-handling capabilities of the Bravo and VPrep liquid-handling platforms in conjunction with a 384-Channel ST Disposable Tip Head. The 384-channel head, combined with Velocity11's 10-μL disposable tips, are proven capable of precisely pipetting volumes as low as 0.30μL. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415960 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:09:24 +0100 2415960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415959&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000318%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes “ALA strives to serve as a pathway for young professionals; to fuse the experience of mature scientists with the energy and perspective of emerging talent.” (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415959 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:09:22 +0100 2415959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415958&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000331%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes “One goal of this special issue of JALA is to represent this interdisciplinary subject by sharing news from a range of authors with a breadth of experience…” (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415958 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:09:21 +0100 2415958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415957&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000355%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes “…we have significantly expanded the membership of our Scientific Advisory Board, and made energetic new additions to our JALA Editorial Board.” (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415957 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:09:20 +0100 2415957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415956&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000574%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415956 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:09:19 +0100 2415956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415955&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000562%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415955 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:09:18 +0100 2415955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415954&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000252%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes June 1 The 21st Century Bioanalytical Laboratory—Maximizing Quality and Efficiency through Innovation: Seattle, WA (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415954 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:09:15 +0100 2415954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415953&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000288%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes NSF International maintains NSF/ANSI Standard 49 Class II (laminar flow) biosafety cabinetry and also certifies that biosafety cabinets conform to the requirements of the standard. More than 20 tests are required during initial qualification testing; of these, the biological challenge tests are the most critical to ensuring that the model tested will provide personnel, product, and cross contamination protection. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415953 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:09:12 +0100 2415953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415952&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS153555350900029X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes “Public health surveillance (PHS) is the ongoing and systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of data regarding a health-related event for use in public health action to reduce morbidity and mortality and to improve health.” As information technology gains acceptance as a core element of public health practice, many approaches to the design of PHS systems have been proposed, much has been spent implementing them, and expectations have been high. Unfortunately, the systems implemented so far have been criticized as having not met expectations, especially in the domain of early detection and bioterrorism readiness, or so-called syndromic surveillance (The term “syndromic surveillance” applies to monitoring health-related data that precede diagnosis to signal... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415952 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:09:01 +0100 2415952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415951&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000343%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Flow cytometry, and its offspring-flow sorting, are extremely useful technologies for biosecurity and public health studies related to infectious disease. Applications range from environmental surveillance of pathogens to diagnosis and the development of vaccines and therapeutics for prevention and control of infectious diseases. Flow cytometers have been developed for laboratory analysis and field deployment. The current state of the art could enjoy more widespread use if instruments and data analysis were made simpler and had more automated functions, and if technology was modified to reduce biosafety concerns related to analysis and sorting of infectious organisms. The full spectrum of possible applications of flow cytometry technology to global biosecurity challenges has not yet been r... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415951 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:08:58 +0100 2415951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415950&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000021%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Bioscience facilities are essential to the efforts to combat both naturally occurring infectious diseases and bioterrorism. But both the general public and policy makers are questioning how bioscience institutions address the safety and security risks of handling infectious disease causing organisms. As a result, new regulations at the national level in many countries and international initiatives from the United Nations, World Health Organization, and others are having direct consequences for the operation of bioscience. In particular, laboratory biosecurity is a relatively new and evolving paradigm for bioscience facilities, which have an obligation to ensure their facilities operate safely and securely. However, although progress has been made in these areas, numerous challenges remain ... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415950 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:08:52 +0100 2415950 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415949&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000057%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes This article will describe the MicroStar Biosafety Level 2 (BSL2), a new offering from HighRes Biosolutions (HighRes) that is the only fully automated BSL2 platform available to the life science community. The MicroStar BSL2 offers the unique benefits of the HighRes docking technology placed inside a fully certified Class II Biological Safety Cabinet, allowing the automated screening of microbial agents up to and including BSL2+.This article will first present the main components of the MicroStar BSL2, before describing existing and future scientific applications for the system. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415949 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:08:46 +0100 2415949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415948&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000069%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Abstract: The Emergency Response Management System is a customizable laboratory information management system (LIMS) developed to support chemical terrorism emergency response laboratory activities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unique features of the LIMS include the following: (1) method profiles that provide an efficient tool for both validation and production experiments, (2) scalability of each assay to accommodate emergency surge-capacity needs, (3) standardized data formats for communicating between different instrument types and vendors, and (4) automated quality assurance communications that allow remote review and approval by CDC statisticians and supervisors. The system has been tested under exercise and real conditions for more than five years and has ... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415948 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:08:40 +0100 2415948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415947&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS153555350900032X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Two mechanical lysis devices have been developed as compact, robust components to provide rapid sample preparation for nucleic acid diagnostic systems. One such component, known as the Micro Bead-BeaterTM (μBBTM, BBTM, Claremont BioSolutions, Upland, CA), is a compact device that is capable of ultra-rapid lysis (>90% lysis in 30s) of micro volumes ( (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415947 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:08:34 +0100 2415947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415946&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000306%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes An efficient method for synthesizing diaryl ethers and thioethers on solid supports is described by S. Bräse and N. Jung. Starting with immobilized phenols or arylhalides and coupling with aryliodides/arylbromides or phenolic/thiophenolic substrates in solution is successful with CuCl and Cs2CO3 as a base. Coupling conditions known from solution-phase syntheses of diaryl ethers have been effectively modified and adapted to solid-phase synthesis. Optimized conditions enable the coupling of sterically hindered and electronically deactivated aryl moieties. A newly developed diversity-generating linker based on cinnamic acid allows the diaryl ethers to be cleaved from the resin either via saponification/transesterification or via ozonolysis. The target substances are generally isolated in go... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415946 Tue, 19 May 2009 03:08:27 +0100 2415946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364533&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000215%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364533 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2364533 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364532&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508002682%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes New applications data from Activotec offer examples of peptide synthesis applications run on the Activo-P11 Peptide Synthesizer, which can synthesize peptides of any length in the 0.1–2-mmoles scale in t-Boc or Fmoc chemistry, using any kind of activation. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364532 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2364532 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364531&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508002724%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes It has been said that Web1.0 reflected the wisdom of man, Web2.0 reflects the wisdom of the masses, and Web3.0 will reflect massive wisdom. Witness LabAutopedia—The ALA Knowledge Network (at www.labautomation.org). (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364531 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2364531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364530&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508002700%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes There's more to being a JALA author than selfless altruism. Many of us who work in academic environments are more than motivated by the well worn motto “publish or perish.” Many others, however, are not. Many lab automation professionals who work in commercial or government laboratories don't have such an obvious on-the-job incentive to share their work with the community. Fortunately, this does not stop them. In 2008, JALA published the work of 191 different authors, and for this, JALA is grateful. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364530 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2364530 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364529&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000112%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364529 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2364529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364528&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553509000100%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364528 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2364528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364527&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508002670%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes April (Exact Date TBD) 4th Annual LRIG Midwest Spring Conference—Cell-Based Drug Discovery and Biofuels: Madison, WI (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364527 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2364527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364526&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508002505%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Clinical pathology has a major influence on clinical decisions and the past 60 years have seen an evolution brought about by advances in information technology and automation. The impact of the ever-changing technology in regard to responsibilities and training therefore needs continual appraisal. In this article, the authors have drawn on their experience on automation in clinical chemistry and the experience at Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne, Australia where one of the authors is based. Automation in other industries has also been reviewed, since the reasons to automate and the impact of automation have similarities and these include reduction in errors, increase in productivity, and improvement in safety. Advances in technology in clinical chemistry that have included total laborato... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364526 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2364526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364525&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508001500%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Students in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at Montclair state University have several opportunities to learn about laboratory robotics. A unit on robotics is included in the senior level instrumental analysis class at the end of the spring semester. Students are also able to receive individual instruction on the robotic systems and high-school students have developed automated procedures during summer enrichment programs.An important component of the program is the competition setup between the men and women students of the instrumental analysis class. This keeps student attention focused on the exercises without the need to assign homework. This short article describes the equipment used by the department, provides an overview of how it is used, and contains informal observatio... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364525 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2364525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364524&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508002694%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes This article introduces open-source software and discusses the benefits to a wider world and the possible advantages to the field of drug discovery and laboratory automation. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364524 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2364524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364523&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508002001%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes In this report, we introduce an automated liquid-handling system (Biomek2000) into the previously reported HSlogD system to dilute the octanol phase automatically. As a result, throughput is increased, allowing the analysis of 400 compounds per week with a range of 0 (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364523 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2364523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364522&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508001767%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes We present here the development of a triethanolamine (TEA) nanocomposite-based chemiresistive gas sensor for detecting NO2 in the ambient environment. The detection mechanism is based on measuring resistivity changes that occur in a nanocomposite due to the absorption and continuous reaction of NO2 gas molecules with TEA. By incorporating carbon nanoparticles into the nanocomposite, NO2-induced resistance changes are amplified by the nanocomposite and measured. Based on calibration, the sensor has a calculated sensitivity of ∼50 parts per billion (ppbv) (limit of detection) to NO2 with a response time of 2min. Sensor did not react with exposure to NO, O3, CO, CO2, and SO2. Sensor prototype is compact, cost effective, and has the capability of being modularized for field deployments, whic... Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364522 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2364522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364521&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508001032%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes This article briefly describes the system for optical coherence tomography (OCT), an interferometric imaging technique and focuses on software controlling of this complex apparatus and data acquisition (DAQ) by means of LabVIEW. It states advanced LabVIEW techniques for parallel DAQ, multi-instrument communication, and postprocessing needed to assure OCT measurements being carried out at the University of Oulu. (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364521 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2364521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364520&cid=s_38542_166_f&fid=38542&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jalajournal.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1535553508002918%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes This is the 11th issue of the comprehensive survey series in combinatorial chemistry by R. E. Dolle et al. Bioactive libraries are summarized under the headings of proteases, nonproteolytic enzymes, G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), non-GPCRs, and oncolytics/anti-infectives. Compound collections without disclosed biological activity are captured under the headings of scaffold derivatization/acyclic synthesis, monocyclic, bicyclic/spirocyclic, and polycyclic/macrocyclic synthesis. Polymer-supported reagents/scavengers/linkers and polymer-supported chiral ligands are also discussed. There are 498 total entries for 2007 (J. Comb. Chem. 2008, 10, 753–802). (Source: Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation) Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364520 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2364520