DynaMyc, the latest confocal fluorescence mapping system from Horiba Scientific, now generates lifetime images faster than before.

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.).

There has been a renewed interest in instrumental qualification and standardisation by the fluorescence community over the last 10 years, driven by the increasing number of quantitative chemical assays that use fluorescence detection and the presence of regulations in some of these areas.

Horiba has announced the construction of a new research facility and European headquarters on the campus of the École Polytechnique in Paris. The new centre will give Horiba access to a pool of innovative technologies, resources and personnel from nearby academic, government and commercial research centres. It is due to open in late 2011.  www.horiba.com/uk/scientific

Christopher BurgessBurgess Analytical Consultancy Limited, ‘Rose Rae’, The Lendings, Startforth, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL 12 9AB, UKJohn HammondStarna Scientific Ltd, 52–54 Fowler Road, Hainault Business Park, Hainault, Essex, IG6 3UT, UK

Continuing the series of articles on spectroscopy, we return principally to the UV-visible area of the spectrum, but this time to the science of luminescence (fluorescence and phosphorimetry), in all its many forms. Given the diversity of the application areas and instrument types available, in such an article we can only briefly give an overview of the topic and interested parties are, therefore, recommended to follow-up the listed references for more in-depth discussion on the points raised.

The new NeoFox Sport from Ocean Optics is a portable, hand-held optical oxygen sensor for measuring dissolved and gaseous oxygen pressure in a variety of media. Comprised of a probe- or patch-based oxygen sensor, plus a phase fluorometer, the fluorescence-based system includes an on-board micro­processor with low-power OLED display, a user interface and a battery pack.

Labsphere, in partnership with Photal Otsuka Electronics, has developed the QE-1000 to measure the quantum efficiency of luminescent materials.

One of the ten winners of the 2010 Leibnitz Prize, Petra Schwille, is recognised for her work with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.

Princeton Instruments has introduced an intensified CCD camera, the PI-Max 3. It is a fully integrated camera that provides a combination of frame rate, gating and low-noise capabilities for improved performance in applications such as fluorescence lifetime imaging measurements, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, pulsed Raman spectroscopy, nanotechnology studies and plasma diagnostics. Features include a built-in timing generator, the SuperSynchro, which makes setting up complex time-resolved imaging experiments easy, SyncMaster technology helps reduce lab clutter by eliminating the need for an external timing generator, it can be configured with either a 1024 × 1024-pixel interline transfer CCD or a 1024 × 246-pixel full-frame CCD and it also features photocathode cooling for ultra-low light or single-photon imaging as well as special readout modes for single-shot measurements and particle imaging velocimetry applications.

Princeton Instruments Acton Issue: 21/05 RSN: 112 More information via

To illustrate the benefits of Starna Scientific's new Type 19FL ultra-micro cell, the company has devised an experiment that uses the 5 µL cell to measure a solution of fluorescent dye from a yellow highlight pen. A dilute solution of the pen's fluorescent dye was prepared and pipetted into a standard 1 cm square fluorescence cell. Prescan was used to determine the optimal wavelengths for excitation and emission. The wavelengths were then selected for study. The Varian Cary Eclipse was used to carry out the experiment. The optical configuration of the cell is suitably matched to the beam profile of the instrument to optimise the available energy entering the sample being measured. The use of a collimation lens on the emission window and mirror coating on opposed faces amplifies emission output for improved sensitivity. All measurements were made using the Varian Eclipse fluorimeter which was equipped with a standard cell holder and a Starna 10.0F/L/Q/5/Z20 5 µL cell. Conditions were adjusted to provide a reasonable scale readout. Comparative quantitation was established by keeping the instrument constant.

Starna Scientific Issue: 21/05 RSN: 139 More information via

Agilent Technologies have signed a definitive agreement to acquire Varian, paying $1.5 billion. As well as adding $1 billion in annual sales to Agilent’s existing $5.8 billion, it significantly expands the range of technologies in Agilent’s portfolio. Varian are particularly strong in NMR, imaging and vacuum technologies, but also can offer a number of atomic and molecular spectroscopies.

Hamamatsu Photonics supply a wide variety of xenon flash lamp products, offering a wide range of solutions for various UV-vis applications. A new head-on 5 W xenon flash lamp module, similar to the side-on module, has now been added to their range. The L11035/L11036 series are compact modules integrating a 5 W xenon flash lamp with a dedicated power supply and trigger socket. They have a 2000 hours life and the output per flash is higher than a 50 W halogen lamp for less of the wattage. The modules are available with or without a fibre output, making it easy to choose the right lamp for the right application and are suitable for UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectrophotometry, HPLC and microtiter plate reading.

Hamamatsu Photonics (UK) Ltd Issue: 21/02 RSN: 160

Andor Technologies has launched its new OEM-dedicated iVac spectroscopy detector range. Designed around its UltraVac vacuum package, this price-performance camera offers a rugged and compact package. The company's Software Development Kit enables easy integration of the USB2.0 device into the likes of Raman bench top stations or spectral engines working in challenging ­environments.

Andor Technology Ltd Issue: 21/01 RSN: 110

Jasco Europe have concluded the celebrations of Jasco’s 50th anniversary by moving into new facilities in Cremella, Italy. The 1400 m2 new office includes sales and marketing operations, a service and customer support department, logistics, IT and a manufacturing area. www.jasco-europe.com

Thermo Fisher Scientific has developed a complete suite of UV-vis and fluorescence analytical solution for the life science industry. From routine UV-vis absorbance to chemiluminescence, this new product has been designed to allow life science, pharmaceutical and biotechnology laboratories to make sensitive, reliable measurements more quickly and easily. Included in this suite is the BioMate 6 double-beam UV- vis spectrophotometer which produces results for a wide range of applications from routine nucleic acid and protein quantitation to research quality enzyme kinetics assays. Also included is a new certified DNA standard to verify nucleic acid concentration measurements at 260 nm and purity assessments made using the 260/280 ratio. A further addition is the Quantech digital filter fluorometer which enables fluorescence measurements for both simple analyses or more complicated biological assays. The company has launched an informative new microsite to provide more detailed information on the expanded portfolio.Thermo Fisher ScientificIssue: 20/05 RSN:

Patrick GaridelBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Process Science, Pharmaceutical Basic Development, D-88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany. E-mail: patrick.garidel@boehringer-ingelheim.com

Introduction

Over the last two decades therapeutic antibodies have become the fastest growing area in pharmaceutical biotechnology. The medical significance of these therapeutic entities is highlighted by the commercial availability of about 20 products on the market with more than 160 candidates evaluated in different clinical trials. One reason for the success of antibodies as therapeutic agents is related to the large advancement in their biotechnological production via fermentation. Nowadays titers of about 4 g L–1 in 11-day fed-batch mode using the CHO BI HEX process are achievable using CHO-cells (CHO: chinese hamster ovary).

The first products launched on the market were lyophilised dosage forms, requiring a reconstitution step before medical application. One reason for this was a lack of knowledge to stabilise antibodies in a liquid form, because a number of factors have a negative impact on protein stability in solution. Furthermore, in order to avoid protein loss during the process, e.g. due to the formation of aggregates, it is important in the early development phase to be able to screen rapidly and identify buffer conditions that may have a stabilising effect and avoid protein aggregation. Currently, formulations have been developed allowing storage of antibodies in a liquid form for two to three years at 2–8°C.

Compared to NCEs (new chemical entities) biologics are quite complex molecules and a number of methods are necessary to characterise their protein structure. Additionally in their early purification and pre-formulation development phase methods are required that utilise just very small amounts of proteins for the evaluation of solution conditions that allow the stabilisation of the protein. Fluorescence spectroscopy has the characteristics that may fulfil some relevant criteria for studying protein stability during the early development phase; these are: (i) being a very sensitive method, (ii) rapid, (iii) allowing the rapid screening of a number of solution conditions, (iv) requiring minimal chemometric data analysis, and (v) having the potential for automation. Although fluorescence spectroscopy does not usually provide detailed structural information, as, for example, X-ray or nuclear magnetic resonance, the method has some potential applications in pharmaceutical biotechnology, because of its acute sensitivity to changes in the structural and dynamic properties of proteins due to solvent variations. A number of fluorescence spectroscopic experiments are available and can be carried out at different levels ranging from straightforward measurements of steady-state emission intensity to more or less sophisticated time-resolved experiments. The combination of various fluorescence observables obtained under time-resolved conditions, in particular, has increased dramatically the interpretation of fluorescence results.6 However, for the relative evaluation of solution conditions with regard to protein stability, intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy is quite useful, especially when combined with a well-defined thermal protocol, in order to characterise the thermal conformational stability of proteins in solution as a function of their solution properties.

The application presented in this article is therefore focused on steady-state intrinsic tryptophan protein fluorescence (ITF). Applications using extrinsic fluorescence labels are not considered. The results from steady-state intrinisic tryptophan protein fluorescence are compared to results obtained from other biophysical methods (infrared spectroscopy and high sensitive micro-calorimetry).

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RSP Systems has launched a new type of Raman spectrometer, mySpec Integrated, which enables the rejection of fluorescence in the spectra and increases reproducibility. This is made possible by using a double slit system in a fixed set-up. It also provides advanced chemometric possibilities due to the added data obtained. The system consists of a 532 nm laser, TE cooled CCD, 8 cm–:1 resolution, all fitted into a device measuring 300 × 185 × 85 mm. It is suitable for process control applications, in the laboratory and at/in line.RSP Systems ASIssue: 20/03 RSN:

Cardiovascular diseases are significant causes of death, and it is of great importance to be able to detect them at an early stage. Recently, DiagnOptics has introduced the AGE Reader (see photo), which is based on a spectrometer and UV fibre provided by Avantes. It non-invasively measures Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs) in tissue.