Microarrays on the slide

Coated microscope slidesXenoporehttp://www.xenopore.comReader Service No. 100Silanated slides, and others

Glass slides created by reacting the surface with 3-aminopropyl silane have a uniform and consistent amino surface, according to Xenopore, who offer the slides with either plain or frosted ends. Silylated slides with a reactive aldehyde surface for binding amino-labelled DNA and RNA probes, proteins and peptides are also available, as is an epoxy-coated slide that binds to primary amino groups. In addition, the company supplies streptavidin-coated slides for binding biotin-labelled oligos, nickel chelate slides for His-tagged molecules, maleimide slides for sulphhydryls, Con A for carbohydrates and polylysine for cell binding.

StepVial systemJ. G. Finneran Associateshttp://www.jgfinneran.com Reader Service No. 101Two-piece sample vial for autosamplers

This sample vial has a limited-volume insert with a choice of closure designs. The insert can be placed precisely in the centre of the vial neck, avoiding accidental jamming of the autosampler needle, and does not require a spring assembly to prevent 'bottoming out'. An enlarged diameter neck opening on both the vial and the insert provides a larger target area for the autosampler and facilitates manual pipetting.

Custom Atlas array serviceClontechhttp://www.clontech.comReader Service No. 102Gene expression profiling

This service provides customized arrays containing a selected set of genes either provided by the customer or taken from its Atlas gene collection. Arrays of up to 1,176 cDNAs each can be produced, and fragments can be arrayed on either nylon or glass. The company will also carry out experiments in-house using either pre-made or custom arrays, with image files analysed using AtlasImage software.

SPBIO Microarray StationHitachi Genetic Systemshttp://www.miraibio.com Reader Service No. 103SPBIO marks the spot

The SPBIO Microarray Spotting Station from Hitachi Genetic/MiraiBio Inc. is a fully enclosed system which uses a proprietary pin design built for spot reproducibility and precision. The pin tip can spot on glass slides or membranes, and spot pitch can be adjusted from 0.2 to 1.00 mm in 0.01-mm increments. The SPBIO accepts a variety of DNA samples, including oligo and cDNA. Different pin sizes are available. The SPBIO's compact design accommodates 96- or 384-well plates with a cover to keep samples clean. Up to 48 chips can be prepared under the same setting.

GeneSpring 3.0Silicon Geneticshttp://www.sigenetics.com Reader Service No. 104Branch out with new software

This software package for genomic expression analysis is optimized for both MicroArray and Affymetrix experimental data sets. New features include an improved data import wizard, an enhanced overlay feature for KEGG custom pathways, multidimensional tree-building capabilities, linked tiled windows and bookmark support. The program is compatible with both PCs and Macs.

Open Access Centrifugal Evaporator Genevachttp://www.genevac.comReader Service No. 105Fractionally better

Designed to form an integral part of an LC-MS purification system for medicinal chemistry, this evaporator allows collected fractions to be inserted and retrieved without batching, speeding up the processing of purified fractions. New fractions can be inserted into empty spaces in the racks within the evaporator or replace dry samples that are ready for removal. Fractions can be identified easily at all stages of the process.

PixSys 5500XLCartesian Technologieshttp://www.cartesiantech.com Reader Service No. 106Integrated printer and plate loader

Capable of processing up to 50 slides, the PixSys 5500XL is an integrated system consisting of a printer, plate loader and humidity chamber for automated printing of micro-arrays. Plates are transferred to and from the printing workstation using a pick-and-place robotic arm. Pins can be easily arranged for multiple configurations and source plate types. There is a vacuum slide nest for each slide. The system can handle spot sizes from 120 to 200 m, or up to about 23,000 spots per slide, depending on application.

AlphaEase FluroChem 2.0Alpha Innotechhttp://www.alphainnotech.com Reader Service No. 107Download it for free

This software release for low-light imaging in macroarray, fluorescence, chemiluminescence and visible imaging offers new features,including a 'magic wand' that thresholds bands and spots and provides corresponding densitometry information. Background subtraction options in the 1D multi-lane analysis function include 'rubber band', 'minimum profile', 'rolling disk' and 'valley-to-valley'. The MovieMode image capture feature utilizes image stacking as it acquires images. AutoLane and AutoSpot allow detection of lanes and bands in a gel image and 2D detection and quantification of spots. Contrast can be adjusted for low-light chemiluminescence imaging using 'ChemiDisplay'. Alpha Innotech customers can download AlphaEase FC 2.0 free from the company's website.

Micromax System I-directNENhttp://www.nen.comReader Service No. 108Simple and direct microarray technology

The Micromax system uses direct fluorescence cDNA labelling with proprietary cyanine 3- and cyanine 5-labelled nucleotides. Since components and processing steps are minimized, the system is particularly suitable for laboratories just beginning to establish and validate microarray applications. The company also offers a variety of products for use in high-throughput, differential gene expression research.

FAST SlidesScleicher & Schuellhttp://www.s-und-s.de Reader Service No. 109Microhybridization on a membrane

This new kit has been developed with a view to producing high-quality consistent fluorescent data from membrane-based microarrays. The FAST Slides MicroHybridization kit comprises slides with a microporous polymeric surface, to give a consistent surface, buffers optimized for fluorescence detection and disposable hybridization chambers. FAST slides are produced in collaboration with race Bio Labs of Bend, Oregon.

Model 400 Hybridization IncubatorRobbinshttp://www.robsci.comReader Service No 110Rock and rotate

This unit, designed for processing membrane macroarrays, has a tri-directional rotator and a high-energy heating element and fan that can quickly raise the temperature of the chamber to any desired value (maximum 90 °C). Temperature can be regulated to 0.1°C. For greater numbers of blots, a maxi-rotator is available that can be probed with up to 80 dot membranes per session. A rocker platform for gentle movement of solutions in dishes, trays and tissue culture flasks is also available.

AssistThermoQuesthttp://www.thermoquest.com Reader Service No. 111Automated benchtop microplate handling

This device automatically moves individual microplates from an input rack onto the plate carrier and triggers the reader application, after which the plate is retrieved from the reader and placed on an output rack. The basic system can sequentially load up to twenty 96-well plates, with an upgrade available to increase this to eight. Plates with lids can also be used. Data for each plate can be produced using the company's software.

ImaGeneGenetic Researchhttp://www.gri.co.uk Reader Service No. 112Software to capture microarray data

This program from Genetic Research Information is powerful enough to process a three million pixel image with over 10,000 spots in under two minutes, but, say the manufacturer, is still simple to use. It is suitable for processing radioactive as well as fluorescent labels, an unlimited number of spots, grids of any size and irregularly arrayed data points. Applications include capture of gene expression microarray and high-density membrane data.

MicroTek AW, AWS and AWMBio-tek Kontronhttp://www.biotek-kontron.com Reader Service No 113A trio of microplate washers

These washers are designed for high-throughput screening. The MicroTek AW for standard 96-well microplates features computer control via RS232 port, on-board programmable software for magnetic and standard assays, and aspiration and dispense height adjustment. The AWS model for 96- and 384-well washing allows independent adjustment of dispense and aspirate portions of the manifold and is robot-compatible. For processing magnetic bead assays, the AWM model will wash standard 96-well and magnetic particle assays.

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