19 March 2012 Alpha Biotech,the UK Life Sciences distribution company, are bringing the new Microsonics ST™ system to the European High Throughput Sequencing market. With the unit shipping in the summer the Microsonics ST™ AlphaBiotech is taking advanced orders now. The Microsonics ST™ High-Throughput Sample Prep System is the first instrument utilizing BLU energy for NGS sample preparation. With the Microsonics ST™ system, a user would simply start with sample DNA in the Thermo Matrix tube, place the tube in the shearing device, select the target DNA fragment size, walk away and return with pinpoint accuracy on the requested number of base pairs. For further information please contact sales@alphabiotech.co.uk

13 January 2012 Alpha Biotech,the UK Life Sciences distribution company, announced the signing of an agreement with AlphaHelix AB to become the UK distributor of their products in the UK. The deal, which came into effect from 1 January 2011, extends Alpha Biotech's liquid handling, PCR offering and diagnostic tests portions of its catalogue. AlphaHelix Molecular Diagnostics AB aims at becoming recognized worldwide as a supplier of superior technology for DNA identification and quantitation in molecular diagnostics and life science research. AlphaHelix develops, manufactures and markets products for DNA-identification and quantitation. Their proprietary SuperConvection technology enables very rapid PCR and qPCR, High Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis and cycle sequencing reactions. The company is part of a network that includes experts in instrument development and manufacturing. For further information please contact sales@alphabiotech.co.uk

Alok Jha, one of The Guardian’s science writers and presenter of their science podcast, recently wrote an article on the subject of Lab-On-A-Chip applications. As AlphaBiotech provides European crystallography labs with the Emerald Biosystem’s PlugMaker this struck a chord.

The article shows lab-on-a-chip applications in the diagnostic field but its take home message of smaller, cheaper, faster experiments is just as relevant to the crystallographer that wants to do refinement experiments on very low volumes of protein. The Emerald PlugMaker can give the researcher a fine gradient of up to 400 conditions from as little as 2.5ul of protein.

• Designed to perform Diagnostic qPCR and PCR reactions in volumes down to 15µl • Fits Qiagen®Rotor-Gene® qPCR cyclers • Works with all existing (q)PCR applications for Rotor-Gene®systems • More consistent CT values when compared to original Qiagen® tubes • 2D barcode type tubes have 0.5CT delay values compared to non 2D coded tubes • Also available in laser mark-able material for custom lasering and/or coding

Attached Caps

Minimize cross contamination Special blend of polypropylene

Anti-static tubes,Maximum sample recovery Non binding for biomolecules Low copy number detection Flexible non cracking tubes No loss of sample Uniform wall thickness

Uniform heating Consistent reaction conditions No risk of cracking No loss of sample Minimize evaporation Consistent reaction conditions Frosted writing areas on cap

Easy sample identification Traceability of samples Rotor-Gene_Tube_pdf

FEATURES:

Accommodates Hamilton style syringes and/or the ARI LCP dispensing syringe.

Any volume syringe can be used provided both syringes are the same volume.

Quick and easy to load.

Loading the syringe automatically sets the mixing stroke so that the mix volume is equal to the sample volume in the syringe.

Elapsed mixing time is displayed.

Audible alarm can be set to sound off after defined elapsed time.

On the fly mixing speed adjustments.

Easy to clean polished stainless steel mixing chamber.

Small size: 13.5 x 5.5 x 4.5 inches.

Alpha Biotech Ltd. exhibited products from Xiril, Robbins and Emerald at the Recent Advances in Macromolecular Crystallography (RAMC) conference held from the 11th to the 14th of September at the Bischenburg Conference Centre, Strasbourg.

The meeting was well attended by leading academics and those working in industry all dealing with the vagaries and frustrations surrounding real-world crystallography. The talks were stimulating and the food on offer was fantastic. There was significant interest for the range of products AlphaBiotech have that relate to crystallography screening and optimisation. Along with a very civilised wine tasting event the meeting was a success on several levels.

Picodrop ul spectrometry methodology - presented by AstraNet Systems (Cambridge, U.K.) received the Bronze Innovation Award at Pittcon 2011. This creative instrument uses technology developed and owned by Picodrop Ltd (UK) and allows for the nondestructive measurement of DNA, RNA, and protein samples. Here, the pipet tip acts as the sample vial so that no precious sample is lost. The editors were amused by the fact that the product consumed 0.0 μL of sample for analyses. This is because the Picodrop technology functions with through-the-tip measurement, where as low as 2 μL can be sampled and measured directly within a pipet tip.

This summer saw AlphaBiotech exhibiting at the International European Lab Automation Conference in Hamburg. The meeting brought together several disciplines, including Next Generation Sequencing, Microarray, Protein Crystallography and Compound Screening. As AlphaBiotech has instrumentation that serves all these communities in both Europe and the UK it was felt this meeting was key to reaching the researchers interested in these products. New products like the Microsonics Systems Hendrix Units for Fluid Processing and Picodrop’s P200 microlitre spectrophotometer were presented alongside Emerald, Brandel and Xiril product lines. The interest ranged from the biological researcher to the micro-fluidic engineer and from the UK to China. AlphaBiotech is a leader in lab automation in the UK and Europe with a solid background and long history of sales, installation and service in robotics, as well as having extensive experience with software applications and solutions. AlphaBiotech is highly experienced in the fields of Pharma, Drug Discovery, Compound Storage, Compound Processing, Microbiology, Virology and all routine Pathology disciplines. For more information contact: sales@alphabiotech.co.uk

Microsonic Systems Inc. have introduced a new model to their line of ultrasonic fluid processors – the SM224. This is the second generation HENDRIX ultrasonic fluid processor with 24 powerful transducer elements for initial compound solubilization. Unlike the conventional overnight sonication bath process, compounds in large volume vials, such as in 4 mL glass vials, can now be solubilized in just minutes. AlphaBiotech is a leader in lab automation in the UK and Europe with a solid background and long history of sales, installation and service in robotics, as well as having extensive experience with software applications and solutions. AlphaBiotech is highly experienced in the fields of Pharma, Drug Discovery, Compound Storage, Compound Processing, Microbiology, Virology and all routine Pathology disciplines. Microsonic Systems Inc. lateral ultrasonic thrust (LUT)™ technology, using a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) based transducer, creates bulk acoustic waves which are capable of mixing and solubilizing bio-chemical reagents more rapidly and more homogenously than existing technologies. Improving the speed and reliability of mixing both increases the likelihood of the positive identification of new drugs, and decreases the likelihood of investing time and effort in unfruitful clinical trials. Improving the speed and reliability of mixing can decrease the time and cost required to bring new pharmaceuticals to market.

The new addition to the Picodrop range includes a built-in big 12cm LCD graphical screen with functionality for all popular protocols including Nucleic acid, Protein and Cell culture concentration determination. The P200 includes advanced features for kinetics and allows simple to create user-defined protocols. An optional cuvette holder accessory makes the P200 the most flexible micro volume spectrophotometer in the market. Customers can choose from 3 models which include either a built-in graphical printer, Bluetooth wireless PC connection or an SD Data card port. For further information email sales@alphabiotech.co.uk

Alpha Biotech recently installed a Phoenix Crystallography robot into the core lab of Sussex University. The Crystal Phoenix Liquid Handling System sets up sitting drop, microbatch and hanging drop crystallography plates. The Crystal Gryphon system was set up in the Biosciences department of Southampton University. The Crystal Gryphon is a personal sized version of the Phoenix. A small, fast and affordable option for setting up all types of crystal plates. The installation into the Southampton University School of Biological Sciences was the first placement in the UK and marks a new direction of smaller, cost effective units being placed into university core laboratories. For further information email sales@alphabiotech.co.uk

AlphaBiotech launches its new website this month. The website features several new functions that will help the customer gain product information instantly with a library of videos and pdfs. It is hoped, the new layout makes it easier to navigate and the information will be kept up-to-date with a content-managed system.

All AlphaBiotech press releases and exhibition details will be posted in the News section of the website. Any comments or suggestions please contact donald@alphabiotech.co.uk

Alpha Biotech launches the Opti Matrix Maker, from Emerald Biosystems, into Europe. Get an initial crystallization hit then create an optimization screen right in your lab. No more measuring or pipetting. Use the stock solutions you have in your own lab. The Opti Matrix Maker dispenses 96 formulations in a matrix using 11 stocks. Functions like the Matrix Maker, but is small enough to work on your desktop or lab bench.All Opti Matrix Maker models feature the following: - Versatile solution formulation - Use your own solutions, including organic, viscous, and varied pH - Dispense into SBS blocks and well plates - Easy to use - Intuitive, touchscreen controls - Desktop convenience - Accurate formulation for comprehensive screening.

It was agreed earlier this month that the US company Microsonic Systems Inc. and the UK-based distributor AlphaBiotech would work together to promote the Hendrix UltraSonic Liquid Processing unit in Europe. The Hendrix system uses a novel non-contact method for mixing, solubilization, thawing and bead resuspension. Already placed in key sites throughout the world, the Microsonic systems products will be serviced and supported by AlphaBiotech in Europe. AlphaBiotech will also be responsible for exhibitions and demonstrations as well as logistics involved with this product line.

The Norwegian lab automation manufacturer, Mole Genetics, signed an exclusive UK distribution agreement with AlphaBiotech, with immediate effect. "This will allow us to extend our reach in the lab automation field, delivering extended choice to the customer who is looking for DNA and RNA extraction options", said Donald Ogg – Business Development Manager for AlphaBiotech Ltd. He went on to state,"We will service and support the existing customers in the UK and promote the brand in publications and exhibitions".

Any comments or suggestions please contact donald@alphabiotech.co.uk

Alpha Biotech launches the Cobra148 nano-litre dispensers, from ARI, into the UK. The new Cobra 148 line of non-contact nano dispensers is now available in one, four or eight channels with dispense volumes ranging from 50nl to 5ml. Versatile touch-screen computer control and two plate positions add to the flexibility of the Cobra systems. Fast, on-the-fly dispensing quickly fills plates. The one and four-channel systems can be used in aspirate / dispense mode or bulk dispense mode, while the dedicated eight-channel bulk dispense system is optimised for high throughput and low reagent dead volume.

The deal, which came into effect from 1 October 2010, confirms Alpha Biotech's desire to be at the forefront of Life Science instrumentation with an expanding catalogue to present to its customers. Picodrop produces a µl spectrophotometer, that takes measurements through the specially designed tip, allowing retrieval of the sample post measurement. The new Picodrop V4 builds on the existing Picodrop design by improving both the user robustness and measurement sensitivity.

Digital Filtering: Using state-of-the-art mathematical background reduction techniques, developed in Cambridge (UK), the V4 Picodrop reduces the apparent tip absorption by over 75% resulting in virtual tip transparency. This results in a 5 fold increase in measurement sensitivity allowing reliable, reproducible measurements down to less than 5ng/ul DNA. Diagnostic Monitoring: The V4 picodrop now monitors light flow through the system and informs the user when maintenance or cleaning is required. - High Speed Connection: The inbuilt PC Ethernet connection allows over 10x more data to be sent between the Picodrop and PC which means we can now take over 3 times more measurements per second, resulting in increased averaging accuracy.

“We specialise in bringing new niche products to market and establishing them with our customers here in the UK and Europe. Therefore, we see these meetings as key to marketing our products to the widest possible audience”, said Donald Ogg, Business Development Manager for AlphaBiotech Ltd.

The deal, which came into effect from the 1st of June 2010, confirms AlphaBiotech’s desire to be at the forefront of liquid handling automation with an expanding catalogue to present to its customers. Xiril are a Swiss based company, founded in 2001 by a team of experts with more than 25 years liquid handling experience who are committed to the development of automated systems and solutions for Life Science and Diagnostic applications.

Xiril´s unique combination of liquid handling and robotic manipulation incorporated into the same robotic arm generates outstanding functionality, quality and results within a space saving footprint. Their range of robots addresses many applications, such as PCR set-up, reformatting and DNA extraction, and is as well flexible and cost effective also for users not involved in ‘standard’ assays.