Graduates from the Centre’s four year PhD programme will lead new industries based on the optimal integration of photonics in electronic systems

UCL and Cambridge University have successfully gained funding for a new Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Integrated Photonic and Electronic Systems (IPES). The new Centre builds on the enormous success of the EPSRC funded collaboration between these two world-leading universities who set up a joint CDT for Photonic Systems Development in 2009...

Frost & Sullivan: Healthcare innovation hinges on managing escalating amounts of data priming to more than triple the market

The partnership is based on Oncodesign's Nanocyclix(R) technology platform for next generation kinase inhibitors and UCB’s expertise in neurology  

Oncodesign, a drug discovery company and oncology pharmacology service provider, announces today that it has entered into a research collaboration and exclusive license option with UCB, a global biopharmaceutical leader specialised in neurology and immunology. The collaboration will leverage the respective expertise of Oncodesign and UCB to bring innovative therapeutic solutions to patients suffering from neurodegenerative disorders....

Pivotal is pleased to announce that it has received French research tax credit approval for years 2013 through 2015.

According to Lidia Farr Corporate Development at Pivotal "We are extremely pleased to receive this approval from the French Ministry of Research since it will provide Pivotal with greater opportunities to support current and future customers in this important European market". The French Ministry of Research (Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche) has granted the French R&D tax credit ("Crédit d'Impôt Recherche", CIR) accreditation to Pivotal as of July 2013...

This internal promotion strengthens the business unit and enhances the Executive Committee (COMEX)

Novasep, a leading supplier of manufacturing solutions to the life sciences industry, today announces the appointment ofNadege Laborde as the new president of its Industrial Biotech business unit. This internal promotion strengthens the business unit and is a key addition to the Executive Committee (COMEX). The nomination recognizes and rewards all of the commitment and skill that Nadege has demonstrated within the business. Nadege joined Novasep in 2000 after qualifying as an engineer from Ecole Centrale, Paris...

MediCity, a collaboration between Boots, the UK’s leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer and BioCity, the UK’s leading life sciences incubation company officially opens for business this week.

Over 300 guests, including experts in health, beauty and wellness technology, are expected to attend events during MediCity Innovators’ Week 18-22 November 2013, with the official opening taking place on Thursday 21 November 2013. Boots UK will be recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for its pioneering work, headed-up by Dr Stewart Adams, which led to the discovery of ibuprofen in the 1980s and which is now used by millions worldwide for pain relief. The conferring of the RSC Chemical Landmark plaques by Boots UK and BioCity symbolises the foundations of innovation that underpin both businesses...

OGT’s ASHG 2013 workshop highlights the need for comprehensive genomic analysis

Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), provider of innovative genetics research and biomarker solutions to advance molecular medicine, has made a recording of its recent American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) workshop available to watch online. The oversubscribed workshop, titled “Complementing next generation sequencing experiments with high-resolution copy number variation detection”, was recorded at the meeting in Boston (US) on the 25^th of October 2013...

Until the end of March 2014, purchasers can save £1,200 (€1,755) on a ³Prime and £1,900 (€2,635) on a Techne Prime gradient thermal cycler from Bibby Scientific.

PCR machines throughout the Prime range are being offered at their lowest ever prices – a ³Prime 48 x 0.2ml personal cycler is only £1,995 (€2,395) and a full size 96 x 0.2ml model is just £2,495 (€2,995). Techne’s extensive range of Prime Thermal Cyclers delivers rapid, effective PCR solutions for institutions of every size and type, from small single laboratories to multi-user organisations....

Thermo Fisher Scientific has developed a reliable method for determining levels of dithiocarbamate fungicides (DTCs) with high precision using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

The complex extraction and identification of DTCs is performed on various food samples after a thorough method validation. Application Note 10333, Analysis of Dithocarbamate Pesticides by GC-MS, compares DTC levels in various food samples to matrix-matched calibration standards. SIM mode analysis provides high selectivity with easy-to-integrate chromatograms. The analysis uses a Thermo Scientific™ TRACE GC Ultra™ gas chromatograph equipped with a Thermo Scientific™ TriPlus™ RSH liquid autosampler coupled to a Thermo Scientific™ ITQ™ 900 ion trap mass spectrometer...

The new 5th edition of BCPC’s Manual of Biocontrol Agents – a toolbox for biocontrol and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – was launched as an online resource at the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM), in Basel, Switzerland in October.

“In my lifetime the world population has doubled and it is forecast to double again by 2050,” explains editor, Dr Roma Gwynn. “Alongside many other issues, this increase puts tremendous pressure on farmable land, requiring a doubling in output per unit area. If we are to conserve biological resources and ensure food security in a sustainable way, we need to use the best crop protection technology and methods available. Integrated Pest Management – including the use of biological control agents such as macro-organisms, micro-organisms, botanicals and semiochemicals – will play an important part, and it is encouraging that demand for and availability of these technologies is increasing rapidly...

Updated Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology Document on Measurement Procedures for the Determination of Lead Concentrations in Blood and Urine

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) has published a new version of C40-A2—Measurement Procedures for the Determination of Lead Concentrations in Blood and Urine; Approved Guideline—Second Edition. C40-A2 is intended for members of the clinical laboratory testing community involved in the collection and measurement of lead in blood and urine. C40-A2 provides direction for specimen collection, measurement by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, anodic stripping voltammetry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. It includes guidelines for quality assurance and quality control, as well as information on proficiency testing programs and laboratory certification. This edition of the document addresses the clinical significance of lead concentrations < 10 μg/dL (0.48 μmol/L)...

Synexus has formed a partnership with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to establish a clinical research facility at Hexham General Hospital, in North East England.

Synexus, a world leader in the engagement of patients and the running of clinical trials at its own dedicated research centres, has formed a partnership with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to establish a clinical research facility at Hexham General Hospital, in North East England. Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest and top performing NHS foundation trusts in the country and is now the first NHS hospital and community health services provider to forge such a unique clinical trials partnership – with the potential to improve treatment for thousands of patients across the NHS...

The partnership will develop new molecules for the treatment of brain diseases

Vect-Horus, a French company specialized in the development of vector molecules for the central nervous system, announces today it has signed a scientific collaboration agreement with Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA), a fast growing international player in Molecular Nuclear Medicine (MNM). The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. This agreement is part of Vect-Horus’ strategy to....

Researchers at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova and IMEM-CNR have used the FLS920 photoluminescence spectrometer from Edinburgh Instruments to measure the photoluminescence (PL) spectral properties.

Researchers at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova and IMEM-CNR, Parma in Italy have used the FLS920 photoluminescence spectrometer from Edinburgh Instruments to measure the photoluminescence (PL) spectral properties, quantum efficiencies and lifetimes of novel CdTe semiconductor quantum disks, synthesized from disk-shaped Cu2Te nanocrystals. Fluorescent nanocrystals are currently being applied in lasers or displays, and offer exciting prospects for future photonics such as quantum emitters. The nanocrystal shape plays an important role in these applications...

Genia Geo, based in Montevideo, Uruguay, has chosen Tecan’s HID EVOlution™ system as part of its comprehensive forensic identification services for governments around the world.

This one-stop solution encompasses everything from designing and building laboratories to training crime scene investigators and judges, and revolves around Tecan and Life Technologies’ fully validated, walkaway set­up for robust genetic identification. Dr Carlos Azambuja, President of Genia Geo, explained: “Genia Geo was set up to provide government entities, such as Ministries of the Interior or of Justice, with everything necessary to implement a national system for DNA-based forensic identification...

BMG LABTECH and InvivoSciences announced today a strategic collaboration to market the time-dependent fluorescent assessment of engineered 3D heart tissues using advanced microplate reader technologies.

BMG Labtech, Inc. - the Microplate Reader Company - and InvivoSciences, Inc. - a leader in stem cell tissue engineering providing a novel solution in first-in-class drug discovery - announced today a strategic collaboration to market the time-dependent fluorescent assessment of engineered 3D heart tissues using advanced microplate reader technologies. Employing an automated system, 3D heart tissues are fabricated with cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells....

Markel UK, the specialist insurer, has launched a new liability product designed to meet the specific needs of the rapidly growing UK biomedical and life sciences sector.

Markel UK, the specialist insurer, has launched a new liability product designed to meet the specific needs of the rapidly growing UK biomedical and life sciences sector. The sector, which is well established in the UK, is expected to see strong growth, with £5bn being invested annually in pharmaceutical research and development alone. Although London and the South East remain important clusters for a wide range of life science companies, the industry is increasingly broadly based throughout the country....

Already popular in private healthcare, increasing global acceptance of refurbished equipment encourages uptake in the public sector.

Winners Recognised at the Economist’s Innovation Awards 2013

Last night a professor from Texas was recognised as the winner of the Bioscience category at The Economist’s Innovation Awards 2013. Professor James Allison was honoured for his life changing contribution to the fight against cancer. James, Professor and Chair at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre Department of Immunology, has spent the majority of his career developing the ground breaking cancer drug, ipilimumab. Ipilimumab is a cancer drug used to treat advanced melanoma....

The Pittcon marketing department is pleased to announce the release of its official conference and exposition mobile app, Pittcon 2014.

The app, available for free download for iOS and Android devices, serves as a valuable resource tool before, during and after the event. It acts as an all-inclusive real-time show guide containing details on exhibiting companies, technical sessions and short courses. The Pittcon mobile conference app was developed by ATIV Software and is built on EventPilot 7, ATIV's latest mobile platform release. This new version is not only optimized for iOS 7, but also increases attendee conversations through session commenting for in-context and on-topic social communication...

LUSH Cosmetics Awards Group £25,000 for Raising Public Awareness of Cruel Laboratory Experiments

PETA US' Laboratory Investigations Department (LID) received the prestigious LUSH Prize Public Awareness Award in a London ceremony last night. The award recognises PETA US' work to end the abuse of animals in laboratories by educating and mobilising the public through undercover investigations, whistleblower exposés, thought-provoking advertisements, scientific research, company shareholder resolutions, corporate negotiations, online campaigns and colourful protest actions. The LUSH Prize specifically recognised PETA US' recent campaigns to expose and end the use of animals in horrific military training exercises in the US and the EU, convince major airlines to stop transporting primates to laboratories and uncover invasive brain experiments on cats at a major American university...

The Gamma Scientific Laboratory (NVLAP Lab Code 200823-0) has been awarded accreditation by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program for IES LM-80: 2008. 

IES LM-80 is an approved method for measuring lumen depreciation and maintenance of Solid State Lighting (LED) light sources, arrays and modules. The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) developed the standard to provide an objective method to evaluate and compare LED components from different manufacturers. Lumen maintenance is the percentage of initial lumens that a light source maintains over a defined period of time.  LM-80 measures the depreciation of lumens over a specific timeframe to determine the useful life of LED components.