The Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities has partnered with the Vermont Genetics Network to launch theABRF Core Marketplace, a free service that allows researchers to search for scientific resources offered by core labs and other service providers.
Service providers can list their labs for free, describe the services they provide, their location, and other information. Providers can also post limited time offerings that they'd like to fill quickly. Researchers, meantime, can search for specific services and filter them by location or specific institution, or they can post service requests for jobs that require a quick turnaround time.
The Core Marketplace, launched this week at the ABRF annual meeting, is built upon the Core Facilities Database, which is maintained by the Vermont Genetics Network and currently includes services from 409 labs, primarily in the US and Canada.
Agilent Technologies has launched a new microarray scanner that is CE marked for in vitro diagnostic use in several European countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.
The SureScan Dx microarray scanner is indicated for use in clinical laboratory environments for measuring fluorescence signals of labeled DNA or RNA targets that are hybridized to microarrays and used as part of a validated diagnostic assay. The system has been validated for use with Agilent comparative genomic hybridization and gene expression microarrays, Agilent said.
Heidi Kijenski, director of clinical marketing in Agilent's Genomics Solutions division, said in a statement that the CE-IVD marking aligns with the firm's "overall strategy to seek regulatory clearance in key geographies, including our intention to file for 510(k) clearance in the United States."
Kijenski discussed Agilent's plans to obtain US Food and Drug Administration clearance for its CGH+SNP microarray platform earlier this year (BAN 1/29/2013).
Connective Tissue Gene Tests has released four new tests for mutations, deletions, or duplications in genes related to connective tissue disorders.
The company now tests genes related to Metaphyseal anadysplasia, two types of Osteogenesis imperfecta, and Shprintzen-Goldberg craniosynostosis syndrome.
CTGT runs its new tests on its High-Density Targeted Array for copy number variation detection. The HDT array is manufactured by Agilent Technologies. The company charges $1,190 per first gene tested with the array and $590 per additional genes tested.