New Products
Protea Biosciences has developed a new protein sample preparation instrument system called the Protea Explorer, the company announced this week. The instrument includes components that remove protein samples from gels, then separate proteins by molecular weight, as well as components that allow researchers to simultaneously electrospray and collect the same protein fractions for future use.
According to Protea, the enclosed instrument system reduces problems of sample transfer losses and contamination due to handling during various steps of protein sample preparation from gel spot to mass spectrometer.
Protea will launch Protea Explorer during the American Association of Cancer Research annual meeting, scheduled to take place in Washington, DC, April 2 to 5.
Syngene introduced this week a range of products for producing, imaging, and analyzing 2D gels.
The new IEF-SYS is designed to save time by allowing users to run 2D gels with both immobilized pH gradient strips and pre-cast acrylamide gels, the company said.
Syngene's ProteomeScan scanner, or Dyversity CCD-based imager, can then generate accurate images of 2D gels, the company said. ProteomeScan features the ability to switch between transmittance and reflectance modes to rapidly produce images of up to 12,800 x 12,800-dpi resolution, while Dyversity produces imaging results that are comparable in accuracy to most laser-based scanners, Syngene said.
For analysis, users can then transfer results to Syngene's 2D image analysis software, Dymension, which performs background correction and spot matching in just minutes, the company said.
Eksigent announced this week an upgrade to its LC Control Software. The new 2.07 version of the Eksigent Control Software works with all the company's NanoLC and ExpressLC systems, and may also be integrated with a number of mass spec vendors' data systems, including Thermo Electron's Xcalibur, Applied Biosystems/MDS Sciex's Analyst, Agilent's EZChrom Elite, and Bruker Daltonics' HyStar system.
V.2.07 of the Eksigent Control Software features a new quantitation module with graphical peak detection and integration. The software also includes real-time flow rate monitoring, rapid sample loading, integrated peak parking, metered injection, and automated diagnostics.
The new v2.07 software is backwards compatible with data collected using previous versions of Eksigent software.
Eksigent also announced this week the expansion of its ChromXP chromatography column line to include eight new stationary phases. The new 300 micrometer-diameter columns are compatible with all capillary LC instruments, as well as Eksigent's regular HPLC systems.
ChromXP columns are now offered in C4, C8, and C18 reversed phases, including a C8 and C18 embedded polar phase. There is also a C18 for use with highly aqueous mobile phases. Each column is offered in lengths of 30, 50, 100, and 150 millimeters.
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Movers & Shakers
Frantisek Svec has joined the scientific advisory board of Protein Discovery, the company announced this week.
Svec is known for his contributions to the development of the monolithic chromatography column. He is presently working at the University of California Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he continues to investigate the synthesis of new separations media for use in both conventional and microscale chromatography systems.
Svec received a PhD in polymer chemistry and a BS in chemistry from the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague.
Colin Proudfoot was named chief financial officer of Biosystems Informatics Institute, the company said this week.
Proudfoot joins Bii/Turbinia from Xceleron, where he was financial director. He has also held finance positions at Degussa AG and at the UK manufacturing company Ebac.