What's New - May to June 2002

Poll Reveals Data Management Inefficiencies Lengthen Drug Discovery Process

Inefficiencies in data management and a significant increase in the amount of data generated in today's modern laboratories are contributing to a slower drug discovery process, suggests a recent poll conducted by NuGenesis Technologies Corporation. The poll was taken by attendees of the company's Web seminar series, "Managing the Drug Discovery and Data Explosion" held earlier this year.

The background of the participants in the poll included drug discovery groups in the life sciences, such as assay development, target identification and validation, and bio-analytical. Of the 137 attendees polled, 58 percent noted that they do not have a formal method to organize data electronically, and 22 percent stated that they still keep records by cutting and pasting into a notebook.

Many laboratories are in the process of converting from a paper-based environment to an electronic one, to be compliant with current FDA legislation and to allow scientists to better manage their research data, and promotes sharing information across an organization. Data that is maintained in an electronic format can be interpreted, analyzed, reported, reviewed and used to make faster and more informed decisions - on whether to continue or abandon a line of research, for example.

Nine out of ten poll respondents noted that their data management needs had risen dramatically over a year's time - increasing by half for 25 percent and doubling for 20 percent. One in three respondents cited a 25 percent increase in data management needs.

NuGenesis Technologies has developed the NuGenesis Scientific Data Management System (SDMS) that captures data generated from any analytical instrument into a repository where scientists can locate, access, analyze and share it in order to make decisions quickly. The NuGenesis SDMS repository can also accept data from other software applications throughout the organization, for an integrated approach to data management. For details, visit http://www.nugenesis.com.

Beckman Coulter Introduces New Interfacing Solution to Integrate LIMS with Any CDS

Beckman Coulter and Labtronics have announced LimsLink software that provides full integration of Beckman Coulter's LabMaanger iLIMS with any chromatography data system (CDS) on the market today. LimsLinkCDS for LabManager iLIMS uses a proprietary Transaction Processor Option to create secure, bi-directional CDS/LIMS interfaces. New modules in the software provide for direct, seamless communication between the CDS and LabManager iLIMS without creating additional files. For details, visit http://www.beckmancoulterlims.com.

Thermo LabSystems Releases Atlas 2002 Chromatography Data System

Thermo LabSystems has released the 2002 version of their Atlas Chromatography Data System (CDS). Atlas 2002 includes a series of new features to offer improved instrument control and ease of use. The new version covers the following functional enhancements over the previous version (Atlas 2001 R1): Control of the Agilent 5890 and 6890 from Atlas DataServers (via RS232); Enhanced control for the Agilent 1100; Status monitoring of the Agilent 1100 VWD, DAD and RID detectors; Control of A2D DataServer instruments; Customizable toolbars and instrument icons in Atlas Instrument Manager; Instrument in/out of calibration and in/out of service status and much more. Atlas is focused on delivering laboratory productivity by adapting to laboratory workflow and offering improved ease of use. For details, visit http://www.thermolabsystems.com.

Thermo LabSystems Delivers Enhanced Validation Support for SampleManager LIMS

Thermo LabSystems has announced the release of Software Validation Kits for versions 2000 and 2001 of its SampleManager LIMS. The Validation Kits provide a valuable resource for the deployment of SampleManager in regulated environments. The kits consist of the following elements: Test Scripts; Functional Specifications, Design Specifications, and Static Data Sets to load test script data. For the first time, the test scripts kits have been issued in both standard PDF and Microsoft Word versions, in response to customer requests. New features include: an HTML front end offering a familiar, user-friendly interface; provision of data sets in the form of C.S.V. (Comma Separated Value) files; and, the inclusion of the SampleManager design specifications provides the user with a complete view of the LIMS architecture, which is of major value in the validation process. Customers can order copies of the latest Validation Kits through their local office or by visiting Thermo LabSystems' online store at http://www.thermolabsystems.com.

Scientific Software and Ness Technologies Partner to Provide Integrated Solutions to the Life Science Market

Scientific Software, Inc. and Ness Technologies have entered into a partnership agreement to provide integrated knowledge engineering solutions to the life sciences market. Scientific Software develops and markets the knowledge engineering system, CyberLAB KES. Ness Technologies, a global provider of IT solutions, will be providing CyberLAB customers consulting and IT services to enable integrated knowledge flow between disparate information systems utilized throughout the enterprise.
The companies' joint objective is to assist their customers in streamlining knowledge sharing and collaboration to increase R&D productivity and reduce the time to market for new drug entities. For details, visit http://www.ness-usa.com or http://www.scisw.com.

Covex to Provide Validation Services to Scientific Software Customers

Scientific Software, Inc has entered into a partnership agreement with Covex LLC. Under the agreement, Covex, a global validation and compliance services company, will provide validation services to Scientific Software's CyberLAB Knowledge Engineering System and EZChrom Elite Chromatography Data System customers. For details, visit http://www.covexllc.com or http://www.scisw.com.

NuGenesis Technologies and Labtronics Inc Announce Product Interface for Enhanced Connectivity to LIMS

NuGenesis Technologies and Labtronics Inc have announced that Labtronics LimsLink software will interface with NuGenesis' Scientific Data Management System (SDMS) to provide customers with a new level of connectivity to most LIMS. Integration at this level provides sscientists with a proven connection to LIMS that can be implemented with minimal configuration. For details, visit http://www.nugenesis.com or http://www.labtronics.com.

New Interfacing Solution for Turbochrom, TotalChrom and SQL*LIMS Software

PerkinElmer Instruments, Applied Biosystems and Labtronics Inc. are pleased to announce the selection of IDM-LimsLinkCDS as the new interfacing solution for data transfer between PerkinElmer's TotalChrom, Turbochrom, and Applied Biosystems' SQL*LIMS Software. LimsLinkCDS is a next-generation product that will replace the current Connect solution to provide support for SQL*LIMS Software, v. 4.0. Developed by Labtronics, IDM-LimsLinkCDS provides secure, bi-directional interfacing between either of the CDS products and the LIMS. IDM-LimsLinkCDS interfaces can communicate directly between TotalChrom or Turbochrom and SQL*LIMS software without creating additional files outside of either application, providing a critical component for maintaining 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. For details, visit http://www.labtronics.com/llcds.htm or http://www.appliedbiosystems.com or http://www.perkinelmer.com/instruments.

New Product Links CHROMELEON Chromatography Management System with any LIMS

Dionex Corporation and Labtronics Inc. have announced a new interfacing solution that uses LimsLinkCDS from Labtronics to provide secure, bi-directional communication between the Dionex Chromeleon Chromatography Management System and any LIMS. This new interface, which has been successfully implemented by Solutia Pharmaceutical Services Division at their CarboGen site in Aarau, Switzerland, was developed in a co-operative effort between Solutia, Dionex, and Labtronics. The fileless Chromeleon/ LimsLinkCDS interface communicates directly with Chromeleon and the LIMS without creating additional files outside of either application, a critical consideration with respect to 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. Electronic signatures, 100 assignable levels of password protection and a full audit trail implementation further ensure that the interface provides the level of security and accountability required to maintain compliance as data are transferred between applications. For details, visit http://www.dionex.com or http://www.labtronics.com.

Agilent Technologies Introduces Nanoflow Proteomics Solution for Protein Identification and Characterization

Agilent Technologies Inc. has introduced the Agilent Nanoflow Proteomics Solution, a highly integrated liquid chromatograph/ion trap mass spectrometer system optimized for proteomics applications such as the identification and characterization of proteolytically digested proteins. The Nanoflow Proteomics Solution is optimized to operate effectively and reliably at the nanoliter-per-minute flow rates that yield better LC/MS/MS sensitivity. One of the many challenges of protein identification and characterization is the dilute nature of samples derived from in-gel digests. The Nanoflow Proteomics Solution provides fully automated desalting and enrichment thanks to integrated column switching valves and enrichment and analytical columns specially designed for nanoliter flow rates.Other features include a new nanoflow LC pump optimized for nanoliter-per-minute flows, extremely sensitive detection, and data-dependent acquisition and analysis. For more detail, visit http://www.agilent.com/chem.

The LIMS Institute Announces 2002 LIMS Award Winner

The LIMS Institute has announced that Joseph H. Golden, president of Laboratory Management Systems is the recipient of the 2002 Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) award. The award committee cited Mr. Golden's involvement in the LIMS industry and community for more than twenty years -- essentially since the dawn of commercial LIMS in the early 1980's. He is a nationally recognized authority on LIMS. He has taught numerous LIMS courses, published articles in the industry trade press, been invited to participate in numerous national and international symposia (including the International LIMS Conference), and been intimately involved with the LIMS decisions of numerous companies. Mr. Golden's greatest contributions to the LIMS community center upon his diligent efforts to help educate and inform LIMS professionals and users about how to go about selecting and implementing a LIMS within the organization successfully. In particular, his insights into the human side of implementing LIMS, with its focus on how to gain consensus for the LIMS project from the various parts of the organization, has proven to be one of his most popular presentation topics. Mr. Golden has taught the American Chemical Society Short Course on LIMS for 11 years. His published works on LIMS have appeared in ACS texts, LIMS/Letter, American Laboratory, and Instruments and Computers. The award will be presented to Mr. Golden at the 16th International LIMS Conference (LIMS 2002) that will take place at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel in Philadelphia, PA from June 11-12, 2002. For details, visit http://www.limsconference.org.

DUII Makes First Matching Contribution to Criminal Justice System

Data Unlimited International, Inc. (DUII) has announced a matching contribution program to assist the Laboratory Division of Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) with BPD's Starfruit CrimeLab Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) implementation. DUII's matching contribution program provides a match of 10% up to the maximum of 60% of the paid license fee.
Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) Laboratory Division is a full service crime laboratory. The BPD Drug Analysis Unit processes over 45,000 submissions annually. Paperless implementation at the BPD Drug Unit demonstrates the computer security methods to collect and protect scientific evidence to ensure the court admissibility. The paperless LIMS implementation enabled BPD Drug Unit to meet the requirements of the Court's Early Disposition Program to complete the test and analysis of the drug evidences in less than 12 hours so that State's Attorney Office and the Court System dispose of the case within 24 hours of arrest.
To complete the paperless LIMS implementation of all units in addition to BPD Drug Unit, including Latent Print Unit, Trace Analysis Unit, DNA Biology Laboratory, Firearm Unit, Mobile Unit, and remote evidence submission, DUII has designed Starfruit CrimeLab with large-scale system architecture, integration, and advanced technology. The outcome will greatly enhance BPD's capability of accepting evidence independent of laboratory location, transferring evidence using electronically signed chain of custody, conducting vault inventory accounting, recording scientific analysis procedures and results, disseminating final casework test reports electronically. The expected benefits are reduction in redundant data entry, decreased storage cost, and higher quality justice by swift and valuable information exchanges among judicial systems. For details, visit http://www.duii.com.

Thermo LabSystems Forms Global Life Science Alliance with Compaq

Thermo LabSystems has formed a global life sciences alliance with Compaq Computer Corporation. By equipping Compaq's high-performance server products with Thermo LabSystems' Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) applications, both organizations plan to further develop their presence in the life sciences sector through joint sales and marketing activities and other alliance initiatives. Bill Blake, vice president of Compaq's High Performance Technical Computing group, said "As the leading platform vendor in life sciences discovery, Compaq is delighted to formalize our relationship with an applications vendor such as Thermo LabSystems, which exceeds our criteria as a leading technology vendor, developing and maintaining application architecture that complements Compaq's own hardware strategies and capabilities. Compaq was impressed by Thermo LabSystems' functionally rich LIMS and its commitment to global customer support provided by its multi-disciplinary PathfinderTM services operation. Another factor was the high rate of adoption of Thermo LabSystems' LIMS among progressive life science organizations." Thermo LabSystems was ranked as a top ten bioinformatics company in Frost & Sullivan's analysis report on The U.S. Bioinformatics Market, published in October 2001. For details, visit http://www.thermolabsystems.com.

Thermo LabSystems Announces Senior Management Changes

Thermo LabSystems has announced that Billy McKnight, previously of Thermo Electron's Analytical Instruments division, has been appointed general manager of the Informatics business, effective immediately. McKnight's new role covers management of both Thermo LabSystems (Altrincham, UK and Beverly, Mass.) and Thermo Galactic (Salem, N.H.) businesses. He was appointed to this position following the April 25th resignation of Dr. Gordon Logan, former managing director of Thermo LabSystems and president of Thermo Electron's Informatics division. McKnight has been with Thermo for more than 18 years, initially starting in 1984 at VG Masslab, where he was appointed managing director in 1998. Most recently, McKnight was managing director of both the Thermo Finnigan GC/GC-MS and the Thermo Hypersil-Keystone businesses. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in creating and managing key software products, including Open Access, Discovery, Xaminer and ToxLab, that make sophisticated LC-MS and GC-MS analysis easy for even novice instrument operators.

Commenting on the personnel changes, Marc Casper, president of Thermo Electron's Life and Laboratory Sciences sector, stated: "Gordon Logan joined Thermo LabSystems in 1989 and was instrumental in establishing the company as the world's leading provider of laboratory informatics solutions and services. A central part of our strategy going forward for the Life and Laboratory Sciences sector is to provide our customers with sample-in, knowledge-out solutions, and clearly, informatics is key. Billy's leadership in the integration of instrument and software solutions made him an obvious choice for this important position. His appointment will also ensure that our customer's investment in our informatics solutions is maximized."

Another recent Thermo management appointment is that of Kevin Smith to the new position of vice president, Informatics in North America, reporting to Billy McKnight. Kevin Smith was most recently director of electronic record management, where he had responsibility for business development for Thermo LabSystems' products and services in the areas of electronic record keeping and knowledge management. He also managed the acquisition in March 2001 of Galactic Industries Corporation and its subsequent integration into Thermo's Informatics business. For details, visit http://www.thermolabsystems.com.

Thermo LabSystems Delivers Nautilus 2002 LIMS

Thermo LabSystems has announced that the latest version of its Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Nautilus 2002 Release 1, has begun shipping to customers worldwide. Nautilus 2002 delivers a host of new features and enhancements designed to further ease system configuration while boosting user productivity through even greater flexibility. Highlights of the new version include functionality for the processing of microtiter plates which are used in high throughput screening and experimentation; Racks functionality for verification messaging when adding aliquots to specific racks; and new Workflow Tracing functions that allow system managers to track the execution of laboratory workflows in the LIMS. Nautilus is Thermo LabSystems' latest LIMS product, focused on improving laboratory productivity and reducing the total cost of ownership. For details, visit http://www.thermolabsystems.com.

Thermo LabSystems Introduces Summer Seminar Program on the Paperless Lab

Thermo LabSystems will be hosting a series of free-to-attend seminars with the theme of total laboratory data management in June and September 2002. The seminars will take place at venues throughout USA and Europe. Attendees of the one day seminars will be presented with a proven strategy for comprehensive end-to-end laboratory informatics; from LIMS and instrument data systems through to electronic record keeping and knowledge management. Speakers will highlight how integrated informatics can virtually eliminate the inefficiencies of paper processing in the laboratory. Demonstrations of Thermo's data archival solution, eRecordManager will be a key focus, revealing how chromatographic or spectral data from any data systems or instrument can be easily retrieved in full compliance with 21 CFR Part 11, the US FDA ruling on electronic signatures and electronic records. Attendees will learn how eRecordManager preserves all the value of analytical data by giving it context through tight integration with other laboratory systems, LIMS, Electronic Laboratory Notebooks, and instrument data systems. Using real world examples of laboratory data workflow, integration of Thermo technologies will also be presented, including LC/GC-MS from Thermo Finnigan, FT-IR and Raman from Thermo Nicolet and with spectroscopy data systems from Thermo Galactic. Seminar dates and locations include:12 June ­p; Rotterdam, Netherlands;18 June ­p; Oxford, UK; 18 June ­p; Barcelona, Spain; 20 June ­p; Manchester, UK; 25 June ­p; Research Triangle Park, NC; 26 June ­p; New Brunswick, NJ; 27 June ­p; Chicago, IL; 10 September ­p; Frankfurt, Germany; and, 26 September ­p; Paris, France. These seminars are intended for senior individuals with responsibility for IS strategy in all science-based organizations. Further dates and venues are still to be confirmed. To enquire about availability and to reserve a place, visit http://www.thermolabsystems.com.

Element DataSystem LIMS from CequeLogic Selected by US EPA Region 5 Laboratory

CequeLogic, LLC, developer of the Element DataSystem LIMS program for the environmental testing market has finalized terms of a contract to provide a new Laboratory Information Management System for EPA's Region 5 laboratory. The EPA Region 5 proposal required multiple vendors to respond to a complex evaluation process including a 66 page RFP and a thorough software demonstration using a client specific, functionality based demonstration script developed by Laboratory Automation Solutions, Inc. (LAS), an independent laboratory and LIMS consulting company, based in Beavercreek, Ohio. For details, visit http://www.elementdatasystem.com or http://www.labautomation.com.

ExxonMobil Chemical Company Selects StarLIMS for Baton Rouge Technology Lab

ExxonMobil Chemical Company has chosen StarLIMS to help improve data management efficiency, integrity and security and data processing capacity at its Baton Rouge, Louisiana Intermediates Technology laboratory. L.I.M.S. and StarLIMS are trading names of L.I.M.S. (USA) Inc. For details, visit http://www.starlims.com.

ONDEO Services Designates StarLIMS

The ONDEO service company, formerly known as Lyonnaise des Eaux, is a market leader providing communities with locally tailored management services such as drinking water supply, wastewater services, resource management and storm drainage. The International Research Centre On the Water and the Environment (C.I.R.S.E.E) has designated StarLIMS as its LIMS of choice.
For details, visit http://www.starlims.com/ondeo.htm.

InnaPhase Signs Agreement with Bioassay Laboratory Inc.

InnaPhase Corporation has announced that Bioassay Laboratory Inc., a leading contract research organization, has signed a license agreement to implement InnaPhase's Watson Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). This most recent agreement provides Bioassay with Watson licenses for their Houston, Texas facilities in the United States. The Watson LIMS system is specifically designed to support DMPK/Bioanalytical studies in drug development while ensuring regulatory compliance with the FDA's 21 CFR Part 11 guidance on electronic records and signatures. Watson has an established track record of accelerating bioanalysis, sample management and regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical drug development. "Using innovative technology such as Watson LIMS has proved to be an enormous step in the automation of our bioanalytical laboratory." said Paul Likhari, CEO of Bioassay. "Watson LIMS enables us to seamlessly deliver high quality results with unparalleled accuracy to our clients while ultimately increasing our competitive edge within the industry." InnaPhase Corporation is a leading provider of enterprise technology solutions for life sciences. For details, visit http://www.innaphase.com.

Innaphase Signs Agreement With Pfizer Expanding Scope Of Innaphase Technology License For Managing Global Drug Metabolism And Pharmacokinetic Data

InnaPhase Corporation has announced that Pfizer Inc, a leading research-based pharmaceutical company, has signed a worldwide license agreement to implement InnaPhase's Watson Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). The announcement expands Pfizer's use of the Watson solution to additional facilities around the globe. This most recent agreement provides Pfizer with Watson licenses for their US-based research and development facilities in Michigan, California, and Connecticut; their European facilities in France, and the UK; and their Asian research facility located in Japan. The Watson LIMS system is specifically designed to support DMPK/Bioanalytical studies in drug development while ensuring regulatory compliance with the FDA's 21 CFR Part 11 guidance on electronic records and signatures. For details, visit http://www.innaphase.com.

Applied Biosystems BioQualification Service to Provide IQOQ Support

Applied Biosystems Group now offers installation qualification (IQ) and operational qualification (OQ) validation support for three ABI Prism instruments: the 3100 and 310 genetic analyzers and the 377 DNA sequencer. Known as BioQualification Services, this new IQOQ support provides installation qualification and operation qualification protocols and service for customers who are developing pharmaceuticals or whose focus are medical in vitro diabnostics and various other research applications. IQ verifies that equipoment has been installed according to manufacturer's specifications. OQ tests equipment to verify that it can operate in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. Performance Qualification (PQ) tests the equipment to ascertain that it is consistently performing per specifications appropriate for the routine use of the equipment. For details, visit http://www.appliedbiosystems.com.

Accelerated Technology Laboratories, Inc. Welcomes Steve Rayburn as Director of Training and Validation

Accelerated Technology Laboratories, Inc. (ATL) has announced that Steve Rayburn has joined ATL as the Director of Training and Validation. Mr. Rayburn brings over 18 years of laboratory experience to ATL. He received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Virginia and continued his Postgraduate work in Science Education there. Mr. Rayburn has worked as an analytical chemist at several environmental testing laboratories while serving as Laboratory Supervisor/Mana ger for 14 years. He has broad experience in environmental chemistry, NELAC, GALP, ISO, and EPA regulations, as well as extensive experience with LIMS software, LIMS implementation, method validation, and laboratory auditing. As the Director of Training and Validation, Mr. Rayburn will evaluate and expand the current training and validation programs. For details, visit http://www.atlab.com.

Accelerated Technology Laboratories, Inc. Announces Third Business Location

Accelerated Technology Laboratories, Inc. (ATL) has announced that its business will expand to a third location by the end of 2002. ATL's newest acquisition is located in Seven Lakes, North Carolina, close to the headquarters office. This location will be home to ATL's new division, Software Validation and Training. This latest endeavor will enhance ATL's ability to meet the increased demand for its Laboratory Information Management Systems and related data management products and services. ATL is currently headquartered in West End, North Carolina and maintains a West Coast office in Sparks, Nevada. For details, visit http://www.atlab.com.

NuGenesis Technologies and Labtronics Announce Product Interface for Enhanced Connectivity to LIMS

NuGenesis Technologies and Labtronics Inc. have announced that Labtronics LimsLink software will interface with NuGenesis' Scientific Data Management System (SDMS), providing customers with a new level of connectivity to most Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS). Integration at this level provides scientists with a proven connection to LIMS that can be implemented with minimal configuration. LimsLink software provides two-way communications with most major LIMS. The integration with NuGenesis SDMS allows customers to extract analytical results from NuGenesis SDMS and transfer this data to their preferred LIMS system, with a seamless link back to the NuGenesis SDMS repository. For details, visit http://www.nugenesis.com or http://www.labtronics.com.

Balance Automation Software Meets 21 CFR Part 11 Requirements

BDS is a new balance automation solution and data management system from Labtronics Inc. that provides secure and documented control over balance applications and balance data management. BDS is based on the same data management principles as Chromatogrpahy Data Systems (CDS). A central server performs all of the processing, running many different procedures at the same time, servicing any number of clients and storing all of the collected data. Storing the data on the server ensures data security and assists in meeting regulatory requirements, such as 21 CFR Part 11. Additional components for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance include Electronic Signatures, Password Protection and Audit Trail. For details, visit http://www.labtronics.com.

NuGenesis Technologies and BD Biosciences Announce Strategic Alliance

BD Biosciences has entered into a strategic alliance with NuGenesis Technologies to provide a productivity solution in an easy-to-use data management and archival system for flow cytometry data. This new data management solution will use the NuGenesis Scientific Data Management System (SDMS) which helps regulated pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies meet the requirements of FDA Rule 21 CFR Part 11. This Rule applies to the use of electronic records and electronic signatures for companies in regulated industries, including those involved in the discovery of new drug candidates. Under the terms of this agreement, NuGenesis Technologies will integrate its industry-leading NuGenesis SDMS technology with BD Biosciences technology for flow cytometry data management and analysis. In addition, BD Biosciences will adopt and sell the NuGenesis SDMS technology to its end users. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed. For details, visit http://www.nugenesis.com.

Agilent Technologies Completes Transfer of Agilent Atomic Emissions Detector to Joint Analytical Systems

Agilent Technologies Inc. has signed a licensing agreement that provides Joint Analytical Systems GmbH (JAS) the rights to manufacture, sell, support and develop Agilent's Atomic Emissions Detector (AED). As part of the agreement, Agilent Technologies will continue to provide comprehensive service and support to its existing AED system customers through the life of the product. The Agilent G2350A AED, a gas chromatography (GC)-based detector, allows detection of virtually all elements within any volatized compound (except helium, the carrier gas) at picogram-levels, with excellent selectivities. The AED supports highly specialized applications and business needs. Agilent has successfully sold and supported the AED for the past 11 years. JAS has been an Agilent Channel Partner since 1995, and employs scientists, engineers and software specialists to provide sophisticated chemical analysis products. JAS currently manufactures a broad line of GC-focused products for the environmental, pharmaceutical, food and flavor, chemical and petrochemical markets and has capabilities in hardware and software development for gas and liquid chromatography instrumentation. For details, visit http://www.agilent.com

Agilent Technologies Offers 60-Page Guide on GC System Optimization and Maintenance

Agilent Technologies Inc. has released a new publication titled "Maintaining Your Agilent GC System," publication number 5988-5847EN. The 60-page guide is part of a comprehensive technical support effort designed to help customers decrease instrument downtime and increase lab productivity. The guide reviews every aspect of the GC process -- from gas management and sample introduction, to columns and detectors -- and provides troubleshooting tips, maintenance and repair recommendations, plus ordering information for necessary parts and supplies. There is even a convenient pull-out poster with a summary troubleshooting guide and a recommended maintenance schedule. "Maintaining Your Agilent GC System" is the fourth in a series of maintenance guides designed to provide support for Agilent's chromatography systems. Other guides include "Maintaining Your GC/MS System" (#5988-3960EN); "GC Inlet Resource Guide" (#5988-3466EN), and, "Maintaining Your HPLC System" (#5988-4269EN). Customers can download it from the Agilent Web site at http://www.agilent.com/chem and click on "Library."

ACIL Adds Agilent Technologies as an Industry Sponsor

The American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL) has added Agilent Technologies, Inc. as an industry sponsor. This sponsorship reinforces Agilent's commitment to ACIL through the provision of financial support that will assist with membership growth and other educational programs for its members. ACIL is the trade association representing independent, commercial scientific and engineering firms. Its members are professional services firms engaged in testing, product certification, consulting, and research and development. Affiliated membership is available to manufacturers' laboratories, consultants, and suppliers to the industry and related trade associations. The association was founded in 1937 as the American Council of Commercial Laboratories. It was later incorporated in the State of New York as the American Council of Independent Laboratories. ACIL defines independent scientific and engineering services firms as commercial entities engaged in analysis, testing, inspection, materials engineering, sampling, product certification, research and development and related consulting services for the public. They are not affiliated with any institution, company, or trade group that might affect their ability to conduct investigations, render reports, or give professional, objective, and unbiased counsel. For details, visit http://www.agilent.com

Agilent Technologies Announces Method to Detect Genetically Modified Organisms Using the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer

Agilent Technologies Inc. has announced a new method, jointly developed with Genolife, Clermont-Limagne, France, for the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Labeling of food containing more than 1 percent of genetically modified organisms has been obligatory in Europe since January 2000. To guarantee that the general public can readily distinguish between transgenic and traditional food in raw and processed foods, methods to identify GMOs must be readily available. To provide a process to detect certain types of GMO, Genolife developed a method to detect Ready RoundUp soy (RRS) and a multiplex PCR to detect five corn transgenes. As part of the solution, the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer and DNA 500 LabChip kit was used to provide a simple, high throughput and standardized way to analyze multiplex PCR products. For further information, request application note "Detecting genetically modified organisms with the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer," publication number 5988-4847EN. This application note is available without charge from any Agilent sales office or from Agilent's Web site at http://www.agilent.com/chem.

Agilent Technologies Introduces New Application for Quantitative End-Point RT-PCR Gene Expression Measurement

Agilent Technologies Inc. has announced a new application for the measurement of RT-PCR using the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer and standardized PCR from Gene Express National Enterprises Inc. The Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer can be used in combination with Standardized RT (StaRT)-PCR reagents from Gene Express National Enterprises (G.E.N.E.) Inc. (Huntsville, Ala., U.S.) to obtain highly reproducible, standardized gene expression measurement with RT-PCR. The internal standards used in StaRT-PCR control for variable loading of PCR products into electrophoresis channel, and allow quantitative gene expression measurement at the endpoint of PCR, without real-time analysis. Gene expression measurement of 15 genes was more reproducible with the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer than with the ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer or agarose gel electrophoresis methods. For further information, request application note "Quantitative End-Point RT-PCR Gene Expression Measurement Using the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer and Standardized RT-PCR," publication number 5988-3674EN. This application note is available without charge from any Agilent sales office or Agilent's Web site at http://www.agilent.com/chem.

BioDiscovery Announces GeneDirector Compatibility with Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer

BioDiscovery Inc. has announced that its GeneDirector Data Management Platform for microarrays has been enhanced to import data from the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer and associated LabChip kits from Agilent Technologies Inc. This added feature allows customers to database and view bioanalyzer data within GeneDirector and thus more closely integrate and analyze experiments across platforms. The combined capabilities of the two products will give customers the ability to easily view and compare data on RNA quality with other data within the DNA microarray experimental workflow, all stored within GeneDirector. Furthermore, data can be visualized in a single software program, so the chance of making an error is reduced. For details, visit http://www.biodiscovery.com or http://www.agilent.com/chem.

Scientific Software to Integrate CyberLAB with EMC Centera Content Addressed Storage

Scientific Software, Inc. has entered into a technology agreement with EMC Corporation to integrate Scientific Software's CyberLAB Knowledge Engineering System with the newly announced EMC Centera content addressed storage (CAS) solution. The integrated solution is expected to be available in 30 days. EMC Centera represents an entirely new software-driven storage architecture purpose-built to address the unique information storage requirements of long-lasting, unchanging digital objects -- or "fixed content" -- such as electronic records used in the development and manufacture of drug compounds covered under the US FDA's Part 11 requirements for electronic records and electronic signatures. This includes such record types as: instrument data files, laboratory reports, electronic notebooks, spreadsheets, clinical data, statistical analysis, microscopy images, bioinformatics data, medical X-Rays and CAT scans, LIMS reports, methods of analysis, standard operating procedures and training records. Scientific Software, Inc. will tightly integrate its CyberLAB Knowledge Engineering System with Centera. CyberLAB will utilize the unique capabilities of Centera to provide the highest level of security and electronic record integrity available. For details, visit http://www.emc.com or http://www.scisw.com.

Scientific Software and LabBook Partner to Deliver Knowledge Management Solutions for the Life Sciences

Scientific Software, Inc. and LabBook, Inc. have entered into a strategic alliance to deliver a complete knowledge management
solution to the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. The companies will co-develop integrated versions of Scientific Software's CyberLAB Knowledge Engineering System and LabBook's eLabBook to create a comprehensive, enterprise-level front-end application and robust back-end infrastructure to manage R&D discovery data for the life sciences researcher. The integration of eLabBook and CyberLAB KES will provide R&D life scientists with a single electronic workspace and storage solution that unifies software applications and web-based tools they currently use to create, collect, manipulate, share, and archive complex research data. LabBook and Scientific Software intend to jointly address the needs of both the bench researcher in providing an electronic discovery environment that facilitates collaboration, and the pharmaceutical research organization in providing a boost in efficiency of the R&D process and retention of knowledge with an electronic notebook and solid information management infrastructure. This integrated software solution will encourage communication and collaboration between isolated information silos and presents a unified workspace with standard data types accessible throughout the enterprise. For details, visit http://www.labbook.com or http://www.scisw.com.

New Version of Windmill Laboratory Instrument Driver Software is Free to Existing Users

Windmill Software has improved their COMIML serial instrument driver and is now offering the new version free to existing users. COMIML acquires data from almost any equipment communicating over RS232, RS422, RS485 or Modbus. This includes such devices as electronic balances, fluorometers, gas analysers, titrators, pH transmitters, particle analysers, conductivity meters, weather stations and GPS receivers, from manufacturers such as Bruel & Kjaer, Garmin, Mettler Toledo, Sartorius and Siemens. Running under Windows, the software includes not only the COMIML driver but logging, charting and control programs - ready to run with no programming required. Additionally data can be passed in real-time to other Windows applications like an Excel spreadsheet or Access database. The software also has many troubleshooting capabilities, letting users identify and correct any connection problems. The new version of COMIML has more options for the format in which data is transferred, including ASCII values, integers, bytes, bits and floating point numbers. It offers easier entry of "non-printing" characters, such as carriage returns and line feeds. The information extracted from the message sent by the instrument is now shown during editing, reducing the time taken to set up data collection. COM ports 1 to 24 are supported. COMIML has been designed so users can "try before they buy". The instrument configuration component of the driver runs alone and is freely available from Windmill's web site. Users can therefore confirm that the driver will work with their instrument or device before purchasing. For new users the COMIML driver package costs £145 (US $220 or Euro 235). Existing users should contact Windmill Software for their free update. For details, visit http://www.windmillsoft.com/comiml.html.