NEW PRODUCTS FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Cambio

For further information please contact: Ambion Inc. The RNA Company 2130 Woodward Drive Austin, TX 78744 www.ambion.com (800)888-8804

Direct detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae from clinical samples The Venor® MP kits are able to detect Mycoplasma pneumoniae from clinical samples with high sensitivity and specificity using conventional or real time PCR. They utilize a simple and fast procedure which is complete in less than 5 hours and requires little molecular biology expertise. The kit is designed to detect as little as 8 Mycoplasma pneumoniae particles per sample and is optimized for either single or routine diagnostics. Templates can be easily prepared by DNA extraction from samples including throat swabs, sputum and pleural fluid. The PCR primers used are specific to amplify Mycoplasma pneumoniae subtypes I and II DNA. The kit contains internal control DNA for checking PCR quality and a positive control for result determination. The results are easy to determine either by a single band on an agarose gel or by real time PCR. The kit shows excellent linearity from 10 to 10 7 copies of Mycoplasma pneumoniae genome to allow quantitation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae copy number. Venor® MP kits are manufactured by Minerva Biolabs and distributed by Cambio Ltd. For further information please contact: Dr. Peter Dean Cambio Ltd. 34 Newnham Road Cambridge, CB3 9EY, UK e-mail: [email protected]

Micromass New Technical Information From Micromass Focuses on the LCT A new technical note from Micromass offers a compilation, and summary, of papers that detail investigations using the Company’s LCT systems - either exclusively or in conjunction with other mass spectrometers. ‘The LCT™ A Brief Description and Bibliography of Relevant Papers from Selected Journals and Contributions to ASMS between 1998 and 2000’ is authored by Chris Herbert and Mark A. McDowall of Micromass UK Ltd., and includes a detailed bibliography of LCT™ related papers presented at ASMS between 1998 and 2000. The bibliography focuses on either oral and poster papers presented at one of the three ASMS Annual Conferences on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics between 1998 and 2000, or the LC/MS applications database published quarterly by HD Science Ltd. The Micromass® LCT™ is a benchtop orthogonal acceleration time of flight (oa-Tof) mass spectrometer equipped with an atmospheric pressure ionization (API) source for interfacing to liquid chromatography or capillary electrophoresis. Delivering superior sensitivity, selectivity and speed of analysis, the LCT can generate both molecular weight and structural information for a wide variety of analyses using controlled in-source fragmentation. Besides featuring a number of advantages over conventional scanning mass spectrometers, the instrument is equipped with ZSPRAY™ technology - the same robust and sensitive API interface used on all LC-MS and LC-MS/MS instruments in the Micromass-Waters family. Instrument control is with Micromass’ MassLynx™ global mass-informatics system, which operates within a Windows NT environment. MassLynx includes control of a range of autosampler, HPLC and detector systems, a full suite of data processing software, a comprehensive quantitation package and advanced security facilities. The LCT also has the option of Micromass’ OpenLynx Exact Mass™ software for use as a walk-up open access system for automated LC-MS operation. The LCT with OpenLynx Exact Mass™ is the first ‘walk-up’ exact mass determination system for support of compound synthesis in drug discovery. Citations for 1998 through 2000 are selected from the official proceedings and those for 1999 are selected from the preliminary abstracts, which are available from the ASMS web site (www.asms.org).

Ambion Isolation Kit for Ultrapure mRNA The Poly(A)Purist™ MAG mRNA Isolation Kit incorporates innovative, patent pending, technology to produce the highest possible yield of enriched mRNA. To reduce rRNA contamination without sacrificing yield, the Poly(A)Purist technology optimizes hybridization of mRNA while simultaneously destabilizing undesirable mRNA:rRNA interactions. The Poly(A)Purist MAG Kit is based on an oligo(dT) magnetic bead selection system that delivers increased processing speed, ease of handling and scalability along with a level of mRNA enrichment unmatched by other protocols.

RNase Decontamination Wipes RNaseZap® Wipes are easy-to-use wipes that completely remove RNase contamination from glass and plastic surfaces. RNaseZap contains three ingredients active against RNases and is extremely effective at removing RNase contamination from glassware, plastic surfaces, countertops, pipettors and other equipment. RNaseZap Wipes work immediately on contact and require no incubation time, baking or autoclaving.

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224 For a copy of the new literature, contact: Micromass Lead Fulfillment IAS, Queens Avenue, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 2BN, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1625 434343. Fax: +44 (0)1625 434335. e-mail: [email protected] For more information, contact: Helen Samuel, Strategic p.r. 38 Combe Park Weston, Bath BA1 3NR, UK Tel: +44 (0)1225 480667 Fax:+44 (0)1225480669

New Products well volume also allows for smaller reaction volume’s and the shallow design means improved well access and reduced contamination risk. The alphanumeric grid referencing and cut away corner facilitates quick plate orientation and sample identification. These plates can be sealed with either domed or flat cap strips, heat seals, adhesive seals or mats. They are available in a choice of six colors in addition to natural, black and white. They are cleanroom produced and certified free from DNase, RNase and human genomic DNA contamination. For further information please contact: ABgene ABgene House Bleinheim Road Epsom, Surrey KT19 9AP www.abgene.com

ABgene

Precision Communications

A.S.P. 50

Flowgen Ltd.

ABgene®’s new Automated Seal Piercer (A.S.P. 50) can pierce heat seals with 96 or 384 holes. It has adjustable pierce height and pin wash/dry cycles to prevent carryover contamination. The instrument can be operated manually using a touch screen or via RS232 and the plate shuttle offers excellent robotic access. This automated piercing system complements the ALPS 300™ automated heat sealer to provide a more complete solution to our customers for high plate throughout.

Micro-Tubes with 2D Data Matrix™ ABgene’s racked 1.2mL Micro-Tubes are now available with a 2D Data Matrix offering 10 billion unique codes. To provide full protection against damage and solvents (including DMSO) the codes are encapsulated within the tube. Combined with ABgene’s unique split septum plugs, 96 tubes can be accessed simultaneously. Each plug can be re-pierced more than 200 times still providing a 100% seal.

Ultra Rigid Skirted Thermo-Fast® 96 ABgene®’s New Ultra Rigid Skirted Thermo-Fast® 96 is ideal for PCR applications using a robotic system for manipulation of the plates. The improved rigidity has been achieved by adding extra ribs under the plate, thereby reducing the deflection of the skirt during robotic handling. The plates are precision molded from virgin polypropylene and their uniform ultra-thin walls allow efficient heat transfer. The low profile design reduces the dead space between the thermal cycler heated lid and the sample, resulting in less condensation and increased PCR efficiency. Reduced

MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY

QUBES™ Easy Open Plastic Tubes For Fast and Efficient Nucleic Acid Purification From Flowgen Qubes make DNA purification simple, they open with a single turn of the wrist, making it very easy to use a pipette, open the qube and insert the sample all at the same time. Qubes also reduces the risk of repetitive stress injury. Qubes are made from a special type of polypropylene that has been specifically designed to work with PURGENE™ and PURESCRIPT® chemistries for Nucleic acid purification, paying special attention to pellet adhesion and supernatant pour off. Qubes manufactured by Gentra Systems Inc., and distributed by Flowgen come in a useful 50ml size with either red or blue caps. They can be used with most swing out bucket centrifuges and the AUTOPURE LS™ Nucleic Acid Purification Instrument. For further information please contact: Sales Contact PR Contact Dr. Jean Emly Mrs. Veronica Solan Flowgen Precision Communications Novara Group Ltd. Glebe Cottage Excelsior Road Wrenbury Frith Ashby Park Nantwich Ashby de la Zouch Cheshire Leicestershire L65 1NG CW5 8HN Tel: 0845 120 4519 Tel: 01829 720 121 Fax: 01530 419250 Fax: 01829 720 122 email: [email protected] www.flowgen.co.uk

Volume 19, 2001