Lab Focus

ent"> Antibodies form the most fundamental unit of the human immune system. They are proteins that fight against foreign agents such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. Vaccines cause the production of antibodies against specific diseases in the body. Antisera are prepared by inoculating animals with certain antigens. When this is done, the animal produces antibodies against these antigens. The antibody secretion is collected as antisera. Antibodies and antiserum form the basis of the immunodiagnostics and immunotherapeutic industry. However, it has not been possible to develop antibodies very extensively because of their stability issues. Antibodies lose their function if not handled carefully and...

Many instruments and measurement devices in the scientific laboratory, whether it is a research laboratory or a bioscience/medical laboratory, need purified water as a washing agent, reagent mixer, or rinsing agent. The necessity for pure water in these processes can be seen as common sense; contaminated water, or mineralized water can be hazardous to the testing procedures. Pure laboratory water can be obtained by many methods. There are filtration systems that can result in 99% pure water for the laboratory. Distillation systems are also available to provide a non-mineralized water to be used in sensitive instruments. As can be imagined, mineral content in the rinse water for an automated...

Chemical analysis involves determining the activity or action of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, enzymes and electrolytes collected from bodily fluids. In current chemical studies, the chemistry analyzer does more than examine urine, blood, plasma, and serum. The chemistry analyser is one of science greatest inventions. It is a laboratory tool that is used to analyze molecules, body fluids for the presence of diseases or an imbalance in the body's system. Routine lab exams include blood chemistry to study the blood's chemical composition. Through the exacted information from the chemical analysis, the patient's condition can be determined. Doctors rely on chemical analysis on the blood's proteins...

Used medical equipment is essential to many health care facilities in this day and age, from small clinics to large hospitals.  No medical facility can function without the proper equipment – it would just be room after room of sick people with no way to treat them.  But the equipment can get very expensive, which is why used medical equipment has become so popular in recent years.  By purchasing used medical equipment rather than new equipment, doctors and health care administrators can cut costs and treat more patients. Brand new equipment often comes with an outrageous price tag that makes it difficult to afford for many medical care facilities.  The used medical equipment on the market...

Over the years the medical industry is has been demanding more precise, smaller, less invasive and more portable medical devices. And it now seems that their wishes may have been granted with new developments in motion-based components and subsystems. The medical device industry can make use these cutting-edge technologies to power motors, pumps, subsystems in several different ways. At the forefront of these innovations has been one of the world's largest providers of motion motion actuators, Johnson Electric. Motors: Speaking of which, a large number of brush and brushless, synchronous and piezo-ceramic motors can help manufacturers to overcome a variety of obstacles such as accurate positioning...

of researchers from Caltech (California Institute of Technology) have developed a micro-sized laboratory capable of analyzing minute blood samples to determine the exact levels of red and white blood cells as well as other blood components. The research, funded by NASA, was aimed at creating a small device capable of performing simple blood tests in space for astronauts of the future. Currently there is no way to perform these tests in outer space due to the large size and complexity of existing blood analysis devices. Future development of the device might lead to cheap, micro-sized, automatic blood analyzers that could rapidly perform DNA and even cancer tests, as well as use in neonatal units...

Injection molding is a manufacturing technique for making parts from both thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic materials. Heated, fluid plastic is injected at high pressure into a mold, which is the opposite of the desired product shape. Injection molding is widely used for manufacturing a variety of parts, from the smallest component to entire body panels of car.The process of injection molding can be described in four simple steps. These include Plasticizing, Injection, Chilling, and Ejection. Each of these steps is different from the other and the right procedure is required for the successful completion of the total process. These steps can be discussed as follows: Plasticizing IT involves...

Chemistry analyzers are used in clinical laboratories to perform various tests on routine chemistry analytes such as magnesium, glucose, bilirubin, calcium, uric acid and so on. Buying brand new chemistry analyzers can prove quite expensive for laboratories with low budgets. The best solution would be for them to buy used chemistry analyzers that have been reconditioned and refurbished. The various processes involved in reconditioning ensure that the used chemistry analyzers meet the original manufacturer's standards and specifications. Used chemistry analyzers for laboratories, once refurbished, are sold at a price much lower than the original, making them an affordable alternative to purchasing...

Along with the advancement and expansion of biotechnology, the need to establish or support marketing opportunities is important for the new products. This market is composed of the development, manufacture and the promotion of products based on conducted research. The studies determine the company's market value including future revenues, royalties, licensing fees and possible research funding. Furthermore, it verifies the current and future trends vis-à-vis developments in the industry. There are many companies that offer marketing services to Biotechnology Industry Organizations (BIO). Hence, there are two kinds of biotech market research: the ready-made market research reports that are...

This overview on Biotechnology in India provides information on India's share in the global market, competitive niches of the Indian biotechnology industry, alliances entered into by the players in the Indian Biotech industry, products that are manufactured by the Biotechnology Industry in India and some of the problems faced by the Indian Biotech industry. Also includes the various initiatives taken by the government, educational institutions for the growth of the Indian Biotechnology sector, the investment opportunities available in the Biotech market, leading Biotechnology associations and the major states which are strongholds of Biotechnology in India, amply illustrated with many suitable...

The biotechnology market in Asia-Pacific region looks very lucrative from investment perspective as it has enjoyed double-digit growth in past few years. The industry is attracting more and more private investments in wake of immense growth opportunities and vast untapped biotech markets. Identifying the future growth potential of the industry, the governments of different countries in the Asia-Pacific region are taking up various initiatives to promote research in the region. Overall, the Asia-Pacific biotech market is expected to spur future growth in the global biotechnology market. According to our new research report, “Asia Pacific Biotechnology Market (2008-2012)”, the Asia-Pacific biotech...

veral research teams around the world announced plans in the fall of 1996 for full-length cDNA (gene) sequencing, investigators felt that the highly beneficial infrastructure provided since 1994 by the international Integrated Molecular Analysis of Genome Expression (I.M.A.G.E.) consortium [HGN 6(6), 3] should be extended to the challenges of complete cDNA sequencing. A subsequent workshop for I.M.A.G.E. participants was held in May 1997 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The meeting was organized and chaired by Greg Lennon [then at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and now at Gene Logic Inc.] with Marvin Stodolsky coordinating for the meeting sponsor, the DOE Office of Biological and...

ing Results will Spur Discovery of Human Genes and Their Functions In October, a collaboration was announced to speed up sequencing of the mouse genome and produce a draft map by spring 2001. The Mouse Sequencing Consortium (MSC) consists of six NIH institutes, the Wellcome Trust philanthropy, and three private companies. It provides another example of public and private sectors joining forces to support large-scale genomics research and generate freely available data crucial for basic biomedical research. MSC members and their contributions are SmithKline Beecham ($6.5 million), the Merck Genome Research Institute ($6.5 million), Affymetrix, Inc. ($3.5 million), Wellcome Trust ($7.75 million), and...

What are bioflavonoids? No, it's not an annoying mascot for a pizza chain. It's not the latest race of alien beings from a new science fiction series, either. They are actually the natural pigments found in many different fruits and vegetables. Science is discovering that they may have numerous health benefits when it comes to brain function and the overall health of your circulatory system. Bioflavonoids are most commonly praised for their antioxidant properties. They were first identified in the 1930's by Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, Ph.D., a Nobel laureate. They are thought to prevent the breakdown of vitamin C in the body, and they also boast their own antioxidant capabilities. Over 5000 different...

“Glutathione is the unsung antioxidant…the one that makes all the others work.” Robert Atkins MD, founder of the Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine. "No other antioxidant is as important to overall health as Glutathione. It is the regulator and regenerator of immune cells and the most valuable detoxifying agent in the human body. Low levels are associated with hepatic dysfunction, immune dysfunction, cardiac disease, premature aging, and death." Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe & Patrick J.D. Bouic, Ph.D. The Immune System Cure. "Glutathione is a substance, the levels of which in our cells are predictive of how long we will live. There are very few other factors which are as predictive of our...

Hypnosis is a word that describes a state of mind that allows new ideas, beliefs, and behaviors to be accepted into a willing participant's mind without critical or judgmental scrutiny. This lessens the likelihood of rejection. So someone coming to see me, or any experienced and well trained hypnotist, with a desire to lose weight will be guided into this special experience where prior agreed upon suggestions will be presented for acceptance. During this time changes in perceptions will occur. Using emotions to trigger positive responses to the behaviors that produce weight loss will be installed. So that when the client eats the right kind of food in the right proportions they will feel powerful...

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE FACT SHEET The National Library of Medicine (NLM), in Bethesda, Maryland, is a part of the National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Since its founding in 1836, NLM has played a pivotal role in translating biomedical research into practice. It is the world's largest biomedical library and the developer of electronic information services that deliver trillions of bytes of data to millions of users every day. Scientists, health professionals, and the public in the US and around the globe search the Library's online information resources more than one billion times each year. The Library is open to all and has many services and...

Purified water is water that has been physically processed to remove impurities and is commonly used as laboratory water, where the purity used is essential to the outcome of laboratory processes. There are a large number of methods that are commonly used for laboratory purification. Distilled and deionized water are the most familiar forms of purified water. Distillation involves boiling and then condensing the steam into a clean container, leaving most solid contaminants behind. Distillation produces very pure water, but also leaves behind a leftover white or yellowish mineral scale on the distillation apparatus. This requires the frequent cleaning of the apparatus. Distillation does not guarantee...

A quarter of a century after the launch of the first biotechnology drug, the global biotechnology industry finds itself split. Many startups and middle-aged companies remain unable to realize their long-anticipated aims and aresteadily losing money. But the more successful companies are being acquired by Big Pharma to fill a dry pipeline and bolster their otherwise loss-making operations. In both cases, these biotech companies are finding that margin maximization and cost reduction are moving ever higher up the agenda. Indeed, this rapidly maturing industry, which has historically focused much of its effort on volume growth, is now facing operational challenges as severe as those faced by more...

AdvanDx, Inc. - Medical Equipment - Deals and Alliances Profile is an essential source for company data and information. The profile examines the company's key business structure and operations, history and products, and provides summary analysis of its key revenue lines and strategy as well as highlighting the company's major recent financial deals. AdvanDx (AdvanDx), a privately-held medical device company, is engaged in the development and marketing of molecular-based in vitro diagnostic tests for the diagnosis and prevention of infectious diseases. The company develops PNA FISH and EVIGENE tests that provide rapid identification results for bacteria and yeast to support appropriate antibiotic...

that system. ISO 18000 is an Occupational Health and Safety standard. It is not the same as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States, but it is similar. Many companies are requesting this registration as a preventative. They use it to find and eliminate problems before OSHA needs to come in. It costs time and money if a Previously I discussed the basics of ISO certification and what it meant. Here are some additional certifications that are specific to specialty industries. AS 9100 is the Aerospace Quality Management System. Its foundation is ISO 9000:2000, with additional requirements specific to aerospace manufacturers. This is for companies that supply...

cl Toronto, Canada – BTNX Inc. is launching a promotion campaign, offering its Rapid Response branded blood glucose meters to its end users free of charge, who purchase 100 Rapid Response strips, to celebrate its 10th anniversary. The Rapid Response blood glucose meter is FDA cleared & CLIA waived. It reads results within 7 seconds, needs only 0.7 microliter blood sample, supports alternate site testing, requires no-cleaning and indicates ketone warning. With the large LCD screen, palm-sized dimensions and one-key operation, the device is the most user-friendly blood glucose meter in the marketplace. What is diabetes? Diabetes means your blood glucose is too high. You may have has one or more...

Summary Universal Biosensors, Inc. (UBI) SWOT Profile is a comprehensive business, functional and strategic analysis of Universal Biosensors, Inc.. The profile delves into the operations of the company to present an in-depth analysis of the various aspects related to its business. It analyzes the company's business structure, operations, major products and services, prospects, locations and subsidiaries, executive biographies and key competitors. The hallmark of the profile is the detailed strategic analysis of the company. This highlights and presents an unbiased view of its key strengths and weaknesses and the potential opportunities and threats. The profile helps you formulate strategies that...

CHATSWORTH, Calif., Jul 16, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- IRIS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (IRIS:iris intl inc com News, chart, profile, more Last: 16.54-0.32-1.90% 4:00pm 07/28/2008 Delayed quote data Add to portfolio Analyst Create alert Insider Discuss Financials Sponsored by: IRIS 16.54, -0.32, -1.9%) from , a leading manufacturer of automated in-vitro diagnostics systems and consumables for use in hospitals and commercial laboratories worldwide, today announced that its Mideast distributor, Bader Sultan & Bros. Co., has received an order from the Kuwait Ministry of Health for seven iQ(R)200 ELITE Automated Urine Microscopy Analyzers. "This initial order covers more than 85% of the Ministry of Health...

It has been said that we are usually our own worst enemy when it comes to making critical changes in ourselves, and that sad fact is the problem when you first start realizing you have been trapped in your own limiting beliefs about yourself as you relate to women and your interactions with them in the past. But if you start making changes in vital parts of your own personality starting right now, you will be well on your way in improving your inner game substantially. When you have a stubborn mindset about yourself, you will constantly repeat the same patterns about your own innate personality that you don't think you can possibly change. That belief is dead wrong. The best way for you to change...

I have been getting migraines in the 10 days or so leading up to menstruation for years and never really made the connection until I became peri-menopausal. Now a study has found a definite link between oestrogen and migraine (Dr Jan Lewis Brandes). Most of us get a headache every now and again. But how do you know when your headache is a migraine? Typically migraine headache symptoms include two of the following - headache on one side of the head, pain that's moderate to severe, and feels throbbing or pulsing, or it is made worse by ordinary activity. You only have to have two of those four pain characteristics to meet the clinical diagnostic criteria for the headache phase of a migraine. You will...

USANA is obviously a very successful and innovative company. How were they able to bridge the gap between a founder's vision and expert status with a product AND build and grow a company in a fiercely competitive marketplace? Which would you prefer for a company - a visionary adept at his product or a skilled marketer or a gifted businessperson? Certainly both qualities are important for a start-up company. Without a USP of either product or service, a business can't thrive in competition. Interestingly, individuals with technical skills on a product may or may not be adept at business which is required if companies need to grow from strength to strength. The good news for USANA was that they had...

Immunology is a broad branch of biomedical science that covers the study of all aspects of the immune system in all organisms. The immune system is the body's defense against infectious organisms and other invaders. Through a series of steps called the immune response, the immune system attacks organisms and substances that invade our systems and cause disease. The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body. The immune system is the body’s natural defence in combating organisms. The immune system usually have two lines of defence: the innate immune system representing a non-specific (no memory) response to antigen (substance to which...

a continuation of my search for the best small companies from the 200 listed in Forbes 2008. The companies ranked 71-130 has yielded 8 results. To recap, below are the criterias of how the companies are being filtered. 1. Immediately exclude financials (don't understand or know how to value them) 2. Run the companies through the intrinsic value spreadsheet with the PE as the growth rate, but capped at 15%. The selected companies shall exhibit; * Positive, consistent and growing cash flows. * Consistent margins. Fluctuating/decreasing margins over several years will not be accepted unless the other criterias are outstanding. * Above average returns from capital investments (CROIC, ROE, ROA) * Strong...

According to ongoing research about the needs of patients with emotional problems misinformation or shame to speak about the problem with the doctor or psychotherapist is a major limitation to treatment success. However, transparency, good information and participation in the course of the therapy is the most important factor for a lasting positive result. Maybe the following list of the most relevant questions might help you to get good information about your personal somatic or psychological problems, diagnosis and treatment options. This list, however, might help you to be prepared for the right questions : 1. Is there a name (clinical diagnosis) for my problem? 2. What are typical symptoms...

Cyanotic defects are those in which un-oxygenated blood is mixed with oxygenated blood in the systemic circulation. Improvements in surgical techniques have significantly increased the outlook for children with these defects. Compensatory mechanisms A number of compensatory mechanisms occur in cyanotic defects in response to decreased arterial oxygen saturation. These include polycythemia and the characteristic squatting posture seen with teratology of fallout. Chronic arterial oxygen saturation in cyanotic heart disease causes decreased tissue, oxygenation, which stimulates erythropoiesis, This results in the production of large numbers of red blood cells, a condition known as polycythemia. This...

s intelligence refers to a specific class of computerized information system that supports business and organizational decision-makingactivities, technologies, applications and practices for the collection, integration, analysis and presentation of business information. The purpose of business intelligence — a term that dates back to 1958 — is to support better decision making. Thus, business intelligence if also referred to as decision support system (DSS). For instance- a self service software that helps the employees of an organization track their payslips, tax withholdings, personal information, leaves and may or may not be integrated with the Human Resource Information System. (HRIS...

ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a genetic predisposed condition with neurological underpinnings. It is estimated that from 5 to 10% of school aged children have the condition and approximately 5% of adults. In essence ADHD is a problem with regulating behavior in three specific areas; attention, behavior, and motor movements. While this description seems fairly straightforward the condition itself can present in many different ways. For instance one person may be labeled as a daydreamer, constantly starring off into the space but have no problems staying seated. Others fit more the common perception of the ADHD child, whereas they constantly exhibit signs of hyperactivity with...

NorDiag ASA - Medical Equipment - Deals and Alliances Profile is an essential source for company data and information. The profile examines the company's key business structure and operations, history and products, and provides summary analysis of its key revenue lines and strategy as well as highlighting the company's major recent financial deals. NorDiag ASA (NorDiag) is a gene based clinical diagnostic biotechnology company engaged in the development of a novel, proprietary DNA-based technology for cancer testing. The company's technology enhances patient participation in the cancer screening programmes. Its product Genefec enables in early detection of cancers at curable phases. Currently, it is...

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is construed as one of the pioneering molecular biology techniques of the 90's. In fact, it was THE technique that completely revolutionized molecular biology. Its been more than a decade of PCR domination in molecular biology and clinical diagnostic labs, worldwide. The technique has evolved with these passing years, and now, it is quantitative PCR (qPCR) which is getting the same attention and is becoming one of the most widely used molecular biology techniques of this new millennium. Quantitative PCR, as the name suggests, is a laboratory technique based on the polymerase chain reaction, which is used to amplify and simultaneously quantify a targeted DNA molecule...

Clinical equipment covers a wide array of medical products that are used for medical procedures, diagnoses, and general patient care. Medical professionals must use proper examination equipment and procedure room equipment in order to ensure that proper patient care is observed. High-quality clinical furnishings are important pieces of medical equipment which enable health care facilities to provide the highest level of care possible. All of the equipment within the category of clinical furnishings is widely used throughout health care facilities. During medical examinations, it is important for the clinical diagnostic equipment to be fully functional, easy to use, as well as sanitary since it is...

A person is suspected of mononucleosis when symptoms like fatigue, sore throat, fever, and swollen glands emerge. Some symptoms like liver enlargement, nausea, swollen spleen, diarrhea, headache, body aches, and respiratory symptoms may also arise and be indicative of this condition. Mononucleosis is otherwise known as Epstein Barr or glandular fever. The patient's age will be considered for diagnosis. An estimate of 50% among the children will develop mononucleosis before five years of age. Symptoms for mononucleosis can be mild or even none among children and babies. The duration of illness is also considered for diagnosis. The cold or flu brought about by mononucleosis usually lasts longer...

LIMS software (short for laboratory information management system) refers to a variety of different laboratory software systems which are designed to streamline the workflow of routine tasks and processes in the laboratory, as well as in other environments. These LIMS systems are generally rather versatile and configurable, making them adaptable to a wide variety of different applications in or out of the laboratory environment. The primary uses to which these data management systems are put include the tracking of samples, instruments, consumables and inventory management, process tracking and auditing and invoicing and reporting applications. A well configured system using LIMS software can be set...