Infrared spectroscopy can detect E. coli faster than current testing methods and can cut days off investigations of outbreaks, according to a study at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.

Water molecules are continuously forming short-lived networks called clusters. These can in turn bind positively charged protons, and such clusters can provide active functional groups in proteins. Using infrared spectroscopy, it is possible to determine the bond strengths, geometrical structures and chemical properties of protonated water clusters. In order to measure the spectrum of molecular vibrations in clusters it is, however, necessary to use other molecules as messengers. A team of physicists and chemists including Dr Gerald Mathias of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) in Munich and Professor Dominik Marx of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum has, for the first time, described how these messengers influence the assignment of spectral bands by infrared spectroscopy.

We have previously investigated the topographic and quantitative changes in the distribution of trace metals in spinal cords from ALS and control patients. X-ray fluorescence microscopy was used to investigate their metallic nature and distribution in single nerve cells. A deeper understanding of the neurodegenerative processes in ALS requires focus on the biochemical changes occurring in nervous tissue of such a disorder. For this purpose, we have undertaken an infrared microspectroscopy study. While metals are suggested to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of ALS, they typically do not occur in tissues as free ions. This results in the presence of the complex mechanisms of metal ions buffering that protect cells against their toxic effects. Metal homeostasis is regulated by several proteins. Such proteins containing metal cofactor are called metalloproteins.

The Prota-2X from BioTools is an FT-IR system for the characterisation of protein biologics. The system includes non-hydroscopic optics, a solid state laser, lifetime warranty on the interferometer, two-year warranty on source, laser and detector, higher S/N for transmission and ATR measurements and a new temperature controller. The system is compatible with Grams 9, Windows 7 and XP Service Pack 3 and comes with new expanded protein databases.

A2 Technologies now offer their portable hand-held FT-IR systems optimised for geoscience applications including compositional ­analysis of rocks, minerals and soils.

Fibre Photonics now offers automated CIP functionality to its range of ATR immersion probes in the spectral range from 0.18 µm to 18 µm (550-55,000 cm–1).

Bio-Rad Laboratories has announced the availability of several new spectral databases.

Version 8.2 of the KnowItAll Informatics system from Bio-Rad Laboratories now includes a new tool for spectral interpretation.

Princeton Instrument has presented its eXcelon CCD/EMCCD sensor technology developed in collaboration with e3v and Photometrics.

David Wetzel and Yong-Cheng Shi of Kansas State University, USA, and John Reffner from John Jay College, City University of New York, USA have applied microscopic chemical imaging to single modified starch granules. Starch manufacturers can use this to determine if the modifying agent used in the production process is uniformly distributed across individual modified starch granules. Mark Boatwright, a K-State graduate research assistant in grain science and industry assisted with data processing for the study.

Patrik Johanssona and A.M.C. DaviesbaApplied Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Göteborg, SwedenbNorwich Near Infrared Consultancy, 75 Intwood Road, Cringleford, Norwich NR4 6AA, UK. E-mail: td@nnirc.co.uk

Introduction

In last year’s August/September issue of Spectroscopy Europe1 I wrote a column about my “discovery” of computational chemistry and asked if anyone was interested. A satisfying number of readers answered the on-line survey with very positive comments but none more so than Patrik Johansson who e-mailed me about his delight with the column and to assure me that there was “indeed a bunch of scientists out there that do work on IR (and Raman) using both experimental and computational techniques—I am one of them”! This column is the first result of the ensuing e-mail conversation and is due to Patrik. I remain excited by the possibilities of computational chemistry particularly as Patrik thinks that an approach to NIR spectroscopy is indeed possible.Tony Davies

Jean-Philippe Echarda and Loïc BertrandbaLaboratoire de recherche et de restauration, Musée de la musique, Cité de la musique, 221 avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris, France. E-mail: jpechard@cite-musique.frbIPANEMA, synchrotron SOLEIL, Saint-Aubin, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France

Introduction

For the past two centuries, the nature of the varnishes coating historical instruments has been a much debated subject. Focusing in particular on the varnishes used for coating violins made by the Italian instrument-maker Antonio Stradivari, numerous hypotheses have been raised by instrument-makers, experts, musicians and chemists, without reaching a general understanding of the ancient varnishing techniques. A few years ago, we decided to work on this topic using several complementary approaches for materials characterisation and study of historical sources (ancient varnish recipes, etc.).

Shimadzu Scientific Instruments and Camo Software have announced a partnership that will enable Shimadzu in which Shimadzu will provide Camo’s multivariate data analysis software, The Unscrambler® to FT-IR customers requiring chemometric analysis.

The da vinci:Arm from Harrick Scientific is an articulated opto-mechanical FT-IR accessory designed for analysing samples that are too large to fit into the sample compartment of a spectrometer. The da Vinci Arm enables the analyses of samples by specular, diffuse and ATR reflection techniques. Since the da Vinci Arm is articulated, it simplifies analysis of samples in front of, below or above the spectrometer sample compartment. An integral camera provides for magnified viewing and image capture of the sampled spot.

Harrick Scientific’s Omni-Diff is a diffuse reflectance probe designed to interface to virtually any spectrometer via fibre optics. This miniature accessory is equipped with input and output SMA connectors that can be readily attached to a fibre optic coupler, like the Harrick FiberMate2. Ideal for diffuse reflectance analysis of samples up to 1.5 m away from the spectrometer. A digital imaging system is also available for photographic documentation of the sample.