21/12/11: Video of Palm PCR in Action is Now Available
December 21, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
For those of you who are a little curious about the Palm PCR instrument, there is a video demonstration available (see below).
Only problem I have with this vid is that it is a bit long and the changes in speed don’t help. A 7 minute video should also have a bit of music/commentary too. I never thought I would miss “cheesy marketing voice-over man,” but I do!
Still, this video is great because it shows the Palm PCR instrument in operation and gives researchers an idea of how it could be used. It would be cooler if it was shown being used somewhere far away from a lab bench, but maybe that will come later.
15/12/11: Agilent Launch the 2200 TapeStation System
December 15, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
OK, I am way way behind in updating my news section. This particular product was launched about a month ago under the Agilent banner. I’ve already been on a couple of customer demonstrations with it and am very impressed with the ease-of-use and fast sample processing. This is coming from a huge fan of the 2100 Bioanalyzer (which is a brilliant instrument).
There is a short and informative video explaining the TapeStation system on You Tube, which I’ve embedded below. Please take a few minutes to watch it. You’ve gotta love the flying ScreenTapes:
The new Agilent 2200 TapeStation system offers scalable throughput and rapid results, making it an ideal solution for quality control of biological samples in next-generation sequencing (NGS), microrarray and qPCR workflows, as well as in protein purification and antibody production.
The 2200 TapeStation system uses credit card-sized, disposable Agilent ScreenTape that is available for DNA, RNA and protein applications. Sample analysis has never been so easy – simply load the 2200 TapeStation instrument with ScreenTape, loading tips, and your samples in tube strips or 96-well microtiter plates – and you will be reviewing results in approximately 1 minute per sample!
There is a demonstration TapeStation available in the Nordic countries that I can get access to. A demonstration will take about 90 minutes in total (it is really very fast). If you would like a demonstration, or would like to learn more, please contact me.
02/12/11: Agilent Acquires Halo Genomics for DNA Target Enrichment Technology
December 2, 2011 by Peter · Leave a Comment
Wow, it’s been a while since I posted. Organising seminars takes it out of you. Anyway, I heard about this yesterday and think it is a very interesting development.
Agilent’s SureSelect is a great technology, but Halo Genomics’ technology seems to fit a hole in the diagnostic applications field. I already had one customer who tried it out and was happy. This is what Agilent’s press release has to say about Halo Genomic’s technology:
“Halo Genomics’ technology addresses sequence-selective (or “target enrichment”) sample preparation in next-generation sequencing. The company’s proprietary HaloPlex technology combines the speed and specificity of polymerase chain reaction-based systems with the scalability and capture-size flexibility of solution-based hybridization formats, thus eliminating the need for library preparation. This fast and simplified target enrichment solution for next-generation sequencing helps to remove bottlenecks associated with targeted resequencing without the use of expensive, dedicated instrumentation or laborious protocols.
Halo Genomics’ current HaloPlex technology is offered as a customizable product, using a Web-based design tool called Web Design Wizard. This highly intuitive tool enables users to create designs in less than 10 minutes, at no charge.”
Actually, I had heard good things about Halo Genomics software and that this tool looked great for diagnostic sequencing applications.
All-in-all, an acquisition I like.
