Screening for bird flu 
Eppendorf AG of Hamburg, Germany, is offering a complete real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) workplace for screening large numbers of domestic poultry and wild birds for the presence of the avian flu virus, including virus subtypes such as H5N1. The workplace consists of a real-time PCR system, a Motion 5070 automatic pipetting system, a microcentrifuge and a mixer for the efficient mixing of small volumes, as well as pipettes, filter tips and tubes. The quantitative PCR technique is recommended by the WHO for detecting avian flu in samples.  

Go with the flow 
RheoSystems, of Bordentown, New Jersey, US, has launched its RheoCapillary laboratory capillary rheometers for determining the flow behaviour of a wide variety of materials. Shear viscosity, extensional viscosity, wallslip, melt fracture and rupture can be measured using a variety of dies and accessories. The twin bore design allows fast measurements and high flexibility. RheoSystems claims that the rheometers give high precision through the use of tungsten carbide dies, multi-point calibration and high precision transducers and amplifiers. The two level software offers standard test control functionality as well as scientific evaluation capabilities for a better understanding of the data. 
info@atsrheosystems.com 

Evaporate safely  
Genevac of Ipswich , UK, has launched the Auto HT-12 robot-ready version of its HT-12 large-scale solvent evaporator. Using the Auto HT-12, corrosive solvents such as trifluoroacetic acid, poisons and solvents from radioactive samples can be safely removed in a remote fume hood without direct operator intervention. The high productivity system incorporates remote access doors and an indexing rotor to ensure that sample holders always line up with the robot arm. In addition, full remote control and data logging via the built-in RS232C interface make it easy to integrate the Auto HT-12 with most laboratory automation systems. Each Auto HT-12 can be customised to individual requirements to allow integration with all commercial robots.  The evaporator automatically detects when the samples are dry and then shuts itself down, safeguarding valuable samples from potential thermal degradation. To allow unattended continuous operation for extended periods, the waste solvent condenser unit runs continuously and automatically defrosts when full. 
salesinfo@genevac.co.uk 

Model kits 
Harvard Apparatus, of Holliston, Massachusetts, US, is offering five versions of the CPK molecular research and teaching kits. These models facilitate demonstration of accurate structure, bond angles, allosteric shapes, and minimisation. Nucleic acid base pairs and 36 peptide backbone segments in helix forms can be constructed using the CPK kits.
bioscience@harvardapparatus.com 

Water at its purest 
Purite, of Thame, UK, has added the Analytical, Life Sciences and Ultimate models to its range of Neptune laboratory water purification units which generate ion-free ultrapure water (UPW) from a feed source of <20 m siemens/cm with production rates of up to 2 litres/minute. The Neptune Analytical model is designed for ion chromatography, gas chromatography and atomic adsorption spectroscopy and produces UPW with less than one ppb total organic carbon (TOC) and bacteria with fewer than one colony-forming units (CFU)/ml. The Neptune Life Science model produces UPW, reducing the bacterial content to <0.1 CFU and endotoxins to <0.02 endotoxin units (EU)/ml, with the output being RNase and DNase free. The model could be useful in the fields of molecular biology, IVF, and genome research. The Neptune Ultimate model produces IPW with <1ppb TOC and reduces the bacterial content to <0.1 CFU/ml and endotoxins to <0.02 EU/ml with output again being RNase and DNase free. 
krystyna.rzemieniecka@purite.com 

Mass spectra for bioresearch  
Shimadzu Biotech of Columbia, Maryland, US, has launched the Axima-Tof², its new matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation (Maldi)-based high-performance Tof-Tof (time of flight) mass spectrometer. The Axima-Tof² is ideal for proteomics research (from protein identification to de novo sequencing), but can also be used to analyse and process polymers, oligonucleotides, single nucleotide polymorphisms, metabolites, lipids, carbohydrates, or small molecules with extremely high sensitivity. The novel ion gating technology in the Axima-Tof² gives precursor ion isolation resolution, which helps MS/MS analysis of complex mixtures. The curved field reflectron technology has been updated to enhance the sensitivity and quality of high energy collision-induced dissociation MS/MS spectra. Intuitive software allows the device to be used in an open access environment. 
emmanuel.raptakis@shimadzu-biotech.net