Process Biochemistry 28 (1993) 127-134 News, Reviews and Events CALENDAR BioUpdate Foundation-Proteins : Isolation, Characterisatlon, Stabillsation. Epe, Netherlands, March, S-12, 1993. Contact : The BioUpdate Foundation, PO Box 3045, 1400 EA Bussum, Netherlands. Fax: +31 2159 33910 Water Quality in the Biotechnology Industry. This is a one day meeting, sponsored by Severn Trent Water. The keynote speaker is Ann Camper of Montana State University. Scat-man House, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 IAL, 22 April 1993. Contact: Elaine Wellingham, Field End House, Bude Close, Nailsea, Bristol, BS19 2FQ. Tel: 0275 853311; Fax: 0275 85331 I. 6th European Congress on Biotechnology. Biotechnology in a Europe without Frontiers, Florence, Italy, 13-17 June 1993. Contact: Prof. Laura Frontali, Dept. of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’ , Pole Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy. Tel: 39 6 4453950. Fax: 39 6 49912351. 18th International Congress of Chemotherapy. 27 June-2 July 1993. Contact: 18th International Congress of Chemotherapy, P.O. Box 6911, S-102 39 Stockholm, Sweden, Tel: 468 230 990; Fax: 468 348 441. 7th Gums and Stabilisers for the Food Industry Conference and Industrial Exhibition. Cartrefle College, The North East Wales Institute, Wrexham, UK, 12-16 July 1993. Contact: Gums and Stabilisers for the Food Industry, Conference Secretariat, Faculty of Science, The North East Water Institute, Connah’s Quay, Deeside, Clwyd, CHS 4BR, UK. Fax: 0244 814305. 3rd International Symposium on Separation Te&Kdogy. Antwerp, Belgium, 22-27 August 1993. Contact : Congress Secretariat, Mrs M. Stalmans, University of Antwerp (UIA), Dept. of Chemistry, Universiteitsplein I, B-2610 Antwerp- Wilrijk. Tel : 323 820 2375; Fax: 32 3 820 2374; Telex: 33646 UIAB. ISEC ‘92 Solvent Extraction in the Process Industries. York, UK, 9-15 September 1993. Contact: Conference Secretariat, SCI, 14/l 5 Belgrave Square, London SWlX SPS, UK. Tel: 071 235 3681. Fax: 071 823 1698. ANALYTICA 94: 14th International Trade Fair for Biochemical and 1nstrumentaI Analysis. Munich, Germany, 922 April 1994. Contact: Bernhard Schauder (Press office), Miinchener Messe-und Ausstellungs-Gesellschaft MBH, Messegellnde, Postfach 12 10 09, D- 8000 Munchen 12, Germany. Tel : 089 5 1 07 0; Fax : 089 51 07 506; Telex : 52 12086 amegd. 24th ACHEMA: International Congress on Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. Frankfurt, FRG, June 1994. contact: DECHEMA, Theodor- Heuss-Allee 25, D-6000 Frankfurth- Main 97, FRG. Tel: 4969 7564 235. Telex: 0412490 DCHA D. BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL Fisons Organisation Fisons plc is now organised into three divisions covering pharmaceutical, horticulture and scientific equipment. Fisons instruments has grown to its present size by the acquisition of well known companies including Carlo Erba 127 Instruments, ARL and most recently the VG instruments group which includes Kevex and SSI. In the world league of analytical instrument manufacturers, Fisons Instruments is fourth behind Perkin Elmer, Hewlett-Packard and Shimadzu with 3,500 staff worldwide and a turnover of E3OOm. For further information see ‘ literature ’in this issue. Contact : Nicola Selby, Fisons Instruments, Riverside Way, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 2YF, UK. Tel: 0895 274200; Fax: 0895 273616. Combining Forces From March 1 1992 there will be a forma1 collaboration between Viridian Bioprocessing and the Environmental Engineering Division of Freeman Process Systems. Viridian offers a service providing the degradation of a wide variety of difficult or toxic effluents found in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food and other industries, often utilising its ‘Custom Blend’ microbial mix. Freeman’s Environmental Engineering Division provides specialist expertise in environmental process engineering, and has a history of providing novel and creative answers for problems arising when handling difficult and toxic materials. The result will be enhanced development opportunities, tighter control over project management and less duplication of effort. Contact: Berge Hakimian, Viridian Bioprocessing, 114116 John Wilson Business Park, Thanet Way, Whitstable, Kent CT5 3QT, UK. Tel:-0227 770505; Fax: 0227 710123. Biotechnology in the 1990’s According to a new Business Communications Company study, the value of the biotechnology industry in the U.S. is projected to increase from almost US$8.7 billion in 1990 to approximately US.%379 billion by the Process Biochemistry (28) (1993tO 1993 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd, England
Contact : The BioUpdate Foundation, PO Box 3045, 1400 EA Bussum, Netherlands. Fax: +31 2159 33910
Water Quality in the Biotechnology Industry. This is a one day meeting, sponsored by Severn Trent Water. The keynote speaker is Ann Camper of Montana State University. Scat-man House, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 IAL, 22 April 1993.
Contact: Elaine Wellingham, Field End House, Bude Close, Nailsea, Bristol, BS19 2FQ. Tel: 0275 853311; Fax: 0275 85331 I.
6th European Congress on Biotechnology. Biotechnology in a Europe without Frontiers, Florence, Italy, 13-17 June 1993.
Contact: Prof. Laura Frontali, Dept. of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’, Pole Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy. Tel: 39 6 4453950. Fax: 39 6 49912351.
18th International Congress of Chemotherapy. 27 June-2 July 1993.
Contact: 18th International Congress of Chemotherapy, P.O. Box 6911, S-102 39 Stockholm, Sweden, Tel: 468 230 990; Fax: 468 348 441.
7th Gums and Stabilisers for the Food Industry Conference and Industrial Exhibition. Cartrefle College, The North East Wales Institute, Wrexham, UK, 12-16 July 1993.
Contact: Gums and Stabilisers for the Food Industry, Conference Secretariat, Faculty of Science, The North East Water Institute, Connah’s Quay, Deeside, Clwyd, CHS 4BR, UK. Fax: 0244 814305.
3rd International Symposium on Separation Te&Kdogy. Antwerp, Belgium, 22-27 August 1993.
Contact : Congress Secretariat, Mrs M. Stalmans, University of Antwerp (UIA), Dept. of Chemistry, Universiteitsplein I, B-2610 Antwerp- Wilrijk. Tel : 323 820 2375; Fax: 32 3 820 2374; Telex: 33646 UIAB.
ISEC ‘92 Solvent Extraction in the Process Industries. York, UK, 9-15 September 1993.
24th ACHEMA: International Congress on Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. Frankfurt, FRG, June 1994.
contact: DECHEMA, Theodor- Heuss-Allee 25, D-6000 Frankfurth- Main 97, FRG. Tel: 4969 7564 235. Telex: 0412490 DCHA D.
BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL
Fisons Organisation Fisons plc is now organised into three divisions covering pharmaceutical, horticulture and scientific equipment. Fisons instruments has grown to its present size by the acquisition of well known companies including Carlo Erba
127
Instruments, ARL and most recently the VG instruments group which includes Kevex and SSI. In the world league of analytical instrument manufacturers, Fisons Instruments is fourth behind Perkin Elmer, Hewlett-Packard and Shimadzu with 3,500 staff worldwide and a turnover of E3OOm. For further information see ‘literature ’ in this issue.
Combining Forces From March 1 1992 there will be a forma1 collaboration between Viridian Bioprocessing and the Environmental Engineering Division of Freeman Process Systems.
Viridian offers a service providing the degradation of a wide variety of difficult or toxic effluents found in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food and other industries, often utilising its ‘Custom Blend’ microbial mix.
Freeman’s Environmental Engineering Division provides specialist expertise in environmental process engineering, and has a history of providing novel and creative answers for problems arising when handling difficult and toxic materials.
The result will be enhanced development opportunities, tighter control over project management and less duplication of effort.
Contact: Berge Hakimian, Viridian Bioprocessing, 114116 John Wilson Business Park, Thanet Way, Whitstable, Kent CT5 3QT, UK. Tel:-0227 770505; Fax: 0227 710123.
Biotechnology in the 1990’s According to a new Business Communications Company study, the value of the biotechnology industry in the U.S. is projected to increase from almost US$8.7 billion in 1990 to approximately US.%379 billion by the
Process Biochemistry (28) (1993tO 1993 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd, England
128 News, Reviews and Events
year 2000, reflecting average annual growth of 15.9 %.
The continuing proliferation of tests for different diseases has helped to sustain interest in human diagnostics/analytical reagents and instruments. In addition, new compounds and diagnostic capabilities are contributing to the future growth of this segment. Current products available are a mix of recombinant and conventional reagents. The recombinant portion is expected to comprise a growing portion of the total base of diagnostic technology. Related work in analytical biotechnology is expected to follow the same pattern. Overall, diagnostic reagents, analytical reagents and instruments for biotechnology accounted for sales of USS5.66 billion in 1990. By 2000, this market segment is expected to approach US$18.3 billion, reflecting 12-5 % annual growth.
Over the period from 19861990, the market for human biotherapeutics has grown to US$l’l billion to currently constitute the largest segment of the U.S. biotechnology industry. By the year 2000, the human biotherapeutic sector will account for sales of almost US$10.4 billion. reflecting a 25% annual growth rate over the course of the decade.
The combined markets for environ- mental and marine biotechnology total- led approximately USSl-3 billion in 1990. By the year 2000, this market sector will approach US$4.7 billion, reflecting 14 % annual growth.
The combined agricultural and industrial segments for recombinant- based products totalled US.Y.623 million in 1990. This is expected to increase at 21.8% annually to reach nearly US$45 billion by the year 2000.
Source: Business Communications co.
Contact: Dr. Norbert Rau, RauCon GmbH, POB 1069, W-6912 Dielheim, Germany. Tel: 49 6222 73562; Fax: 49 6222 74884.
Bayer business Bayer’s worldwide sales in the first two months of 1992 also increased by 3 % over the same period last year and signs are that the company has reached the bottom of the decline of the past two years.
Sales in Bayer’s Healthcare sector were un 10% with profits un by 11 %. Strenger said the- Health&e division’s operating result now represented almost 55 per cent of the Group’s profits with pharmaceutical accounting for the lion’s share.
Group sales rose by 1.8 per cent in 1991 to DM 42.4 billion.
Contact: Andrew Tait. Tel: 010 49
21430 72503 or Lynne Trenery. Tel : 0635 35546.
Novo Nordisk 1991 Novo Nordisk has published a detailed review of company results during 1991. One of the world’s largest biotechnology companies and formed in 1989 by the merger of Novo Industry A/S and Nordisk Gentofte A/S, Novo Nordisk is the largest producer of industrial en- zymes and insulin. In 1991 group sales increased by 16 % and income before tax increased by 28%. Market share was increased in 3 key geographical areas, the US, Japan and Germany and a number of new products were introduced in the pharmaceutical and enzyme products for the textile, pulp and paper and detergent sectors. Total capital expenditure for production, plant, new laboratories and environmental protection amounted to DKK 1 348 million which included a new research centre at Malov.
Contact: Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo All&, 2880 Dagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: 45 4444 8888. Fax: 45 4449 0555.
Fisons chemicals extends its BS : 5750 certillcation In 1990, Fisons was the first U.K. laboratory supplies company to become certified to BS: 5750: nart 2 and. in doine so, set the trend for the rest of thi market. If invited the British Standards Institute in to re-examine its systems and procedures with a view to extending its registration to include fine chemicals. It is delighted that, as a result, a recom- mendation is to be made that its scope of registration be extended to:
‘The manufacture and supply of fine chemicals, reagents and reagent solutions for laboratory and industry use. These products are supplied to either published specifications or to specifications that have been agreed with the customers.’ As a result of this extension, it can now state that all aspects of its chemicals business will be certified to BS: 5750:part 2 in- cluding custom synthesis and bulk pro- cess chemicals.
Tougher environmental regulations through 1996 Intensifying environmental regulations will generate steady growth in liquid/solid separation equipment sales over the next five years, according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan. Pro-
cess industry spending will also pick up as the economy recovers.
‘The US market for liquid/solid sep- eration equipment’ (A2568) estimates 1991 sales at $1.05 billion and forecasts 13% growth to $1.19 billion by 1996.
Two end-use market segments will benefit most from regulation. Municipal water and waste treatment, already the largest category of liquid/solids separ- ation spending, is expected to jump 16 % from $3 11 million in 199 1 to $362 million in 1996. The much smaller segment of electric utilities should show even faster demand growth of 17 % from $53 million to $62 million over the five years.
Four other industry segments- chemicals, general manufacturing, pulp and paper, and food and beverages-are _ _ expected to have moderate sales increases of 12-14% between 1991 and 1996. Trailing the pack with only 8% growth will be the group which includes mineral processing and oil and gas exploration and production.
In terms of products, the category made up of settling, flotation and gravity filtration equipment is forecast to enjoy 17% growth from $270 million in 1991 to $316 million in 1996, due to this category’s sensitivity to regulation- driven applications.
Filters used for liquid/solid separation comprise the largest of the three product categories, accounting for slightly more than half of the total market. Sales are expected to be up 12 % from $582 million in 1991 to $652 million in 1996.
The centrifuge and cyclone category is forecast to grow 13 % from S172 million in 1991 to $195 million in 1996.
Cell culture companies and the European single market Because of relatively small domestic markets, many European cell culture companies are looking to sell inter- nationally. Most companies are already well positioned for taking advantage of opportunities created by the single European market, according to a new report by Frost & Sullivan (E1530, $2,800).
British serum and medium producers such as GIBCO, lCN/FLOW and NBL already export a majority of production, and the same situation applies to micro- carriers from PHARMACIA and cell culture plastics from NUNC. The de- mand for cell culture products is expected to grow substantially over the next five
News, Reviews and Events 129
years with total sales rising from just over $180 million in 1991 to reach $251 million by 1996.
The biggest nroduct sector in 1991 was cell cult;; reagents worth $81 million, followed bv growth systems at $37.20 million, and consumables worth $29.05 million.
Separation systems, only a small part of the 1991 market, will grow dramati- cally by 1996 when they are expected to be worth $39-39 million.
Within the market for cell culture consumables, projected to be worth $36 million in 1996, the highest growth will be in microcarriers, which will almost double, while the market for glassware used in cell culture will fall.
Greatest demand in the cell culture reagents sector in 1991 was for foetal bovine serum. set to be worth $40.20 million by 1996. Meanwhile, sales of liquid media supplements will increase to $30 million through the development of more sophisticated products and serum substitutes.
Cell analyser sales, worth $10.05 million in 1991, are divided between cell counters and flow cytometers. Growth will be largelv confined to the flow cytometer sector and by 1996 the market will have grown to $13.5 million.
The market for cell culture growth systems, used in large scale production for both laboratory and production applications, was estimated at $37.2 million in 1991 and is forecast to grow to around $53 million by the end of the study penod with greatest expansion in the hollow fibre reactor sector. More than half of all cell culture system placements were in France, Germany and Britain. The Netherlands also has a high placement in relation to it’s size.
The use of specially-designed separ- ation systems is growing fast with the market, worth $22.5 million in 1991, forecast to reach $39.4 million by the end of the study period. Hollow fibre harvest- ing and purification installations are increasingly used both in small scale laboratory set ups and also in large scale commercial plants. Almost half the total use is in France and Germany combined.
Sales of products used in cell culture are highest in Germany, set to reach $58 million by 1996 as a result of the upgrading of existing facilities and the development of new ones in the former East Germany. The Italian and French markets, worth $18.30 million and $33.65 million respectively in 1991, will grow dramatically up to 1996 with Belgian sales increasing only slightly slower. Increases in sales will be slower in Britain as the research market is more developed and nearer maturity. This has led to increasingly limited opportunities.
Growth will also be only moderate in The Netherlands.
New 19921993 Cole-Partner” plasticware catalog Cole-Parmer Instrument Company has introduced their new 1992-1993 plastic- ware catalog. The catalog features a complete line of plasticware items in- cluding: bags, beakers, biotechware, bottles, centrifuge ware, compression fittings, containers, dispensers, fittings, funnels, hand-pumps, tanks, tubing and vials.
Some new items include: colored tubing, kynarm coilable tubing, kynar@ nine, fluorinated & DOT bottles, poly- propylene containers, all plastic quick- disconnect fittings, Cole-Parmer@ ultra- filter microcentrifuge tubes, and a heat fusion tubing system that allows the creation of custom tubing configurations. The catalog features over 5,100 products, tips for plasticware care, a handy chemi- cal resistance chart and a physical proper- ties of resins chart.
Contact: Cole-Parmer Instrument Company, 7425 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, Ill. 606648. In the USA or Canada, Tel: toll-free 1 800 323 4340.
New 1992-1993 Cole-Parmere technical training materials catalog Cole-Parmer Instrument Company has introduced their new 1992-1993 Tech- nical Training Materials Catalog. The new four-color catalog features over 60 pages, including sections on chemistry, computers, engineering, mathematics, quality control, software, statistics, and safety, as well as a new section on audiovisual training materials. Over three dozen publishers are represented and the catalog is indexed to make finding a selection easy and convenient.
Contact: Cole-Parmer Instrument Company, 7425 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60648. In the USA or Canada, Tel: toll-free 1 800 323 4340.
Conference report The Pharmaceutical Industry In An Extended Europe. Business and invest- ment opportunities, Research potential, Regulatory issues. Edited by Dr Flem- ming Ornskov and Professor Graham Dukes. Is an international conference
report, based on a 3-day conference held in Budapest in April 1991, published by IBC Technical Services. (A4 Pbh c. 128 pp ISBN 1 85271 191 4 Price f95.00).
The edited papers forming this report discuss all aspects of investment oppor- tunities in central and eastern Europe, describing the situation now, trends over time and future prospects. It is split into 7 major parts: economic analysis (in- cluding means available to follow de- velopments, prospects for a free market approach to data collection, sales, dis- tribution and financing); business oppor- tunities (examining appropriate models for a period of transition for collab- oration between firms in East and West and for Western firms to develop their own markets in the East); national health services (examining available data from East and West with special attention given to issues relevant for the use of drugs); mobilisation of research poten- tial (means are examined by which research potential can best be re- structured, mobihsed and linked to that existing in other parts of the world); drug evaluation, clinical pharmacology and pharmacoepidemiology (including exist- ing potential and prospects for devel- opment of drug studies and medical expertise); regulatory affairs (examining means by which consistent approaches can be attained throughout Europe re- garding industrial discipline, regulation, and provision of objective information to prescribers and public); marketing (authors discuss among other things the importance of ensuring that Eastern Europe, in striving to attain a new society, benefits from the experience of the West).
Contributors from Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, the UK and the USA and from Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Czechoslo- vakia and Russia.
Life Science News Amersham International has produced issue 6 of its news journal ‘Life Science News’.
Circulated to 60,000 life scientists worldwide, issue 6 focusses on nucleic acid detection with light, molecular bi- ology applications, Enhanced Chemi- luminescence Detection of Western blot- ted proteins as well as a biomedical research review and new radiochemicals focus. Available free on request.
Contact: Alan Dance, Amersham In- ternational, Amersham Place, Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire HP7 9NA. Tel: 0494 542640. Fax: 0494 542266.
130 News. Reviews and Events
Sciential, Review The April 1992 edition of this Merck publication (incorporating BDH News) includes a product round-up and Merck winning worldwide distribution rights of Rambach agar for Salmonella detection.
Water News This newsletter (No. 92/3) from Millipore includes information on Capillary Ion Analysis-The Basic Principles and the alternative to bottled HPLC grade water.
alpha-Committed to chromatography This new Merck newsletter is dedicated entirely to chromatography and aims to cover new products, new applications, technical advice on the use of Merck products, as well as general news of events in the chromatographic world.
APU Inform The winter 1991 edition of APU Inform, the customer newsheet of the Auto- mation Process Division of APU Baker Ltd includes information on: evapora- tors for the food industry, homogenisers for fat and cholesterol reduced foods and the creation of new fruit processing opportunities by a Japanese company.
New ATCC cell lines and hybridomas catalogue Amer&n Type Culture Collection (ATCC) announced the 7th edition of ;he A?;CC cell lines and hybridomas catalogue. The new catalogue contains 539 pages and includes over 1,700 cell line listings under the categories such as CCL-kertified Cell Lines and TIB-Tumor lmmunologv Cell Bank. In addition, over 1,500 h&&n and animal lines from the Naval Bioscience Lab- oratory are listed. The general index is supplemented by a comprehensive set of special indexes to help locate desired cell
lines by species, tissue, tumor, mono- clonal antibody, depositor, or originator.
Single copies of the catalogue are available without charge in the US. There is a shipping fee of $9.30 for shipments to Canada and Mexico and $15.30 to all other foreign locations.
Contact: ATCC marketing, 12301 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD, 20852, USA. Tel : 301 881 2600. Fax : 301 231 5826.
ATCC culture catalogues available online American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) has announced that the com- plete set of ATCC culture catalogues is available for online searching via the Life Science Network, sponsored by BIOSIS. The catalogues available include : Animal Viruses & Antisera; Bacteria & Bacterio- phages; Cell Lines and Hybridomas; Clones, Vectors, Libraries, and Hosts; Plant Viruses & Antisera; Protozoa & Algae; and Yeasts & Filamentous Fungi. The catalogues provide information on over 50,000 strains, including details on recommended growth conditions, media formulations, literature citations, and more.
Contact: BIOSIS, Marketing Depart- ment, 2100 Arch Street, Philadelphia, USA. Tel: 215 587 4800 (Worldwide).
Cole-Parmerm catalog supplement The new four-color catalog supplement contains over 125 pages of new products not previously featured in the 199 1- 1992 Cold-Parmer- Instrument Company’s catalog. New products include Gilmontm direct reading flowmeters, Masterilexm Batch/Transfer pumps, Kynar@ tubing and fittings, new Orion@ benchtop pH meters, new Ohaus” balances and the new Cole-Parmer@ handheld pHTESTR@ and ORPTESTR@.
Contact: The Cole-Parmer Instrument Company, 7425 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60648. Tel: toll free 1 800 323 4340.
Plant guidelines for technical management of chemical process safety This book, prepared by the AlChE’s Center for chemical Prbcess Safety, is the last of a three-part series for managers of companies manufacturing and using hazardous materials. It is designed for use at operating facilities as a working guide to management systems which can help prevent and mitigate major releases of hazardous chemicals and hydrocarbons.
It describes 12 key elements which
must be considered in an effective process safety programme. Each element is de- scribed and the use shown how it relates to the others in a holistic approach to plant safety. Successful programmes are included as examples for users to con- sider.
Chapter headings include : account- ability-objectives and goals; process knowledge and documentation; process safety review procedures for capital projects; and process risk management; it is available at an international price of $170.00/f97.15.
Guidelines for hazard evaluation procedures ihis 461 page book prepared by the AlChE’s Center for Chemical Process Safety is a totally new edition. All of the original material is completely revised, amplified, illustrated with charts and diagrams to reflect the latest views and information. It has been specifically designed as a training aid and to be used for educational applications.
The book includes guidelines and worked examples for hazard evaluation procedures. It is available at an inter- national price of $170.00/E97.15.
Contact: IChemE Book Sales, Rail- way Terrace, Rugby CV21 3Hd. Tel: 0788 578214. Fax: 0788 560833.
Merck celebrates centenary The recently published 3rd edition of Merck Ltd’s Microbiology Catalogue and price list marks the 100 years that Merck have been manufacturing a wide range of high quality microbiology pro- ducts. The results have given the com- nanv a strong name and recoenition fhriughout th; world.
Today, Merck Ltd has over 450 micro- biological products with some 250 de- hydrated culture media, auxiliary agents and other manual systems in its range.
Products in the Catalogue have been chosen specifically for the microbiologist, offering the best choice of media, supple- ments, laboratory equipment and general consumables. Great care and attention has been given to the presentation of each product so that users can easily identify and order those they need. As an approved Sterilin main agent, Merck Ltd has even devoted a complete section to Sterilin products with easy-to-use cross references that will help customers with their choice.
Contact : Joanna Sale/Tim Cockerell,
News, Reviews and Events 131
Riggs PR, The Riggs Group, 8 Rock- stone Place, Southampton SO1 2EQ, UK. Tel: 0703 224071.
New edition, ATCC catalogue of bacteria & bacteriophage American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) announces the availability of the 18th edition of the ATCC Catalogue of Bacteria & Bacteriophage. This 694 page reference includes listings of over 13,000 strains. The catalogue provides information on each culture’s origin, handling of cultures, media formul- ations, special uses for specific strains, and much more. Also available for the first time is a diskette version of the catalogue, available on a 3.5” or 5.25” high-density diskette with built-in soft- ware to work on any IBM compatible PC.
The diskette version is priced at $25 each. The price includes shipping and handling.
Other current ATCC editions include: Algae & Protozoa, 1991; Cell Lines & Hybridomas, 1992; Filamentous Fungi, 1991; Yeasts, 1990; Human & Mouse DNA Probes & Libraries, 199 1; Recombinant DNA Materials, 1991; Animal Viruses, Chlamydiae, & Rickettsiae, 1990; Plant Viruses, 1990.
Contact: ATCC Catalogues, 12301, Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD, 20852, USA. Tel : 301 881 2600. Fax: 301 231 5826.
Single cell oils The American Oil Chemists’ Society announces the publication of Industrial Applications of Single Ceil Oils, edited by David J. Kyle and Colin Ratledge, which represents the first major compilation of microbial oil production from bacteria, yeast, fungi and microalgae. Authors from leading research laboratories throughout the Pacific Rim, North America and Europe discuss the pro- duction of specialty oils using various microbial systems with a focus on in- dustrial applications. The production and use of long chain omega-3 fatty acids, gamma linolenic acid, cocoa butter substitutes, and wax esters are described and the economics of the processes evaluated. This book suggests that we are on the brink of a totally new industry of speciality or ‘designer oil’ production using microbial methods.
The 306-page monograph on Single Cell Oils is available from AOCS at $55.00 per hardbound copy for members and $75.00 for nonmembers.
Contact : Order Department, American Oil Chemists’ Society, PO Box
3489, Champaign, IL 61826-3489, USA. Tel: 217 359 2344. Fax: 216 351 8091.
New biotechnology facttile The latest edition of The B Braun
Biotechnoly Factfile has just been published by B Braun Medical Ltd, Aylesbury, Bucks, following the out- standing success of the first edition.
Designed for simplicity of use, the file uses a system of ‘reader reply’ numbers and prepaid reply cards for obtaining additional information on B Braun’s range of laboratory and bio- technology products.
Products detailed include : Certomat laboratory shakers, the Certomat WR water-bath shaker, Thermomix thermo- regulators, Frigomix coolers, Labsonic U & L ultrasonic homogenizers, the Potter S homogenizer, the new Micro- Dismembrator U microgrinding ball mill, the MSK rotational ball mill, Biolab CP iminfermenter. Biostat MD & ES fermenters, Micro-MFCS multi fermenter control system. the Biopem process-fluid sampling device. the Biojet CF cell manipulator. A selection of B Braun’s single-use and consumable pro- ducts is also listed.
In-line monitoring for water and effluent quality control A new leaflet from the Environmental/ Process Analysers Group of ACAL AURIEMA has been designed to give an overview of the full scope of expertise and supply capabilities in water and effluent quality control.
The range of advanced instrument- ation includes sludge blanket level de- tectors, suspended solids monitors, tur- bidimeters, DO analysers, pH/conduc- tivity monitors, oil in water monitors, automatic TOC and TOD analysers, UV water quality monitors, pollution load calculators, laser particle counters and ultra pure water monitors, as well as associated equipment such as flowmeters, level indicators and pumps.
PAH analysis in water The Shimadzu scanning fluorescence HPLC detector (RF-10A) is particularly
useful for the accurate measurements of low levels of poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ubiquitous pollutants in natural drinking and waste waters.
Selectivity is enhanced through the ability to select independently the best excitation and emission wavelengths. These can be changed in a real time mode which means all peaks can be measured in a single analysis.
Both excitation and emission wave- lengths can be scanned at speeds up to a maximum of 3,000 nm/min and the resulting spectra can be output to a recorder or the Shimadzu SCL-1OA sys- tem controller. The wavelength range of the detector is from 220 nm to 650 nm expandable to 900 nm with the addition of an optional photomultiplier.
Large MBR pilot plant for S. Korea MBR has delivered a large-scale pilot plant to Lucky Ltd. in Dae Jeon/Chung Nam.
This plant is intended for research covering a variety of different microbial fermentation processes and has to offer an extremely high degree of flexibility.
The 1500 litre capacity fermenter, in conjunction with a 750 litre medium tank, is equipped with a highly soph- isticated computerized process control system (VME). This system has to con- trol 7 largely interdependent loops as well as a complex automatic, multi-stage sterilization programme. The func- tioning of the DDC-Unit is monitored by a ‘watchdog’. For instance. in the event of failure of the computer, the watchdog automatically switches over to an analog back-up system.
High purity blood processing contract awarded to APV High purity blood products of a quality superior to conventional technology is the promise of a new contract awarded to the Automation Process Division of APV Baker by the Central Blood Laboratories Authority for its Bio Products Labora- tory.
APV’s contract covers the design, installation and water commissioning of two new process lines for the purification of virus-free factor VIII and intravenous immunoglobulin. BPL specified and sup- plied all main items of process equip-
132 News, Reviews and Events
ment, such as vessels, chromatography columns, ultrafiltration package, and certain sterile filters.
APV is responsible for the supply of a range of process equipment in&&g an ACCOS 30 Control System, CIP pack- age, most sterile liquid and gas filters, valves, instruments, steam traps, pipe work, insulation, field wiring, motor starters, vessel access platforms and plate heat exchangers for pyrogen-free water cooling.
The production processes are designed to extract small quantities of purified proteins from large quantities of plasma. Batches of 3 to 13 tonnes of plasma yield 20 to 100 kg of final product, with high added value.
Contact: Mike Buffam, APU Baker Ltd, PO Box 4, Gatwick Road, Crawley, West Sussex, UK, RHlO 2QB. Tel: 0293 527777. Fax: 0293 552640.
Gas aoalyaers for control of chemical production Analytical Development Co. Ltd. has developed a new range of gas analysers for controlling chemical production processes, such as pesticide and pharma- ceutical production.
Based on infrared measurement tech- nology, the ADC7000 range includes analysers for the most commonly en- countered gases including carbon diox- ide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, sulphur and nitrogen oxides, and am- monia. Models for monitoring less com- mon gases such as sulphur hexatluoride and nitrogen trifluoride are also avail- able.
The analysers provide precise, reliable readings, and a simple keyboard and menu-driven control makes operation easy. Each analyser is fitted with a single analysis cell calibrated to cover the typical measurement range for the gas, although a second cell can be specified to increase the range without reducing accuracy.
Contact: Sally Donaldson, Analytical Development Company Limited, Pindar Road, Hoddesdon, Herts EN1 1 OAQ. Tel: 0992 469638. Fax: 0992 444567.
Computerised Rauma Ecoplanning system for Chimco fertilizer plant A 1X312 million comnuterised water treatment plant ordered’by the Chimco fertilizer factory in Vratsa. Bulgaria, will use advanced technology to purify river water for boilers and processing, and ensure that all the factory’s effluent is free from environmentally harmful con- tamination. Raumn Ecoplanning Ltd, of SF-28101 Pori, Finland, will deliver the plant in the first half of 1993. The fully-
automated treatment process has been developed in conjunction with the British company Advanced Water Systems Ltd.
Rauma Ecoplanning is currently sup- plying a urea evaporation plant to the same Bulgarian factory, together with a plant for treating effluents containing urea and ammonia. In addition, they have designed a zero effluent-discharge water-treatment plant now under con- struction in the Black Sea port of Odessa in the Ukraine.
Rauma Ecoplanning designs and sup- plies treatment processes and equipment employing a combination of membrane technology, ion-exchange and reverse- osmosis, as well as filtration, evapor- ation, crystallisation, clarification, co- agulation, de-aeration and degassing, according to the degree of water purity required.
Fogger for sanitising The new 2600 Fogger has been intro- duced to meet the critical requirements in the fogging and spraying of disinfectants and odour control products. The flow control provides adjustment of the chemical discharge from Ultra Low Vol- ume (ULV) to a mist with flow rates of O-600 ml per minute.
This new fogger will find widespread use in disinfecting and sanitising in food processing areas and air conditioning maintenance. Odour control applications include fire and flood damage treatment and waste disposal areas.
Contact: Spray Systems, The Merlin Centre. Gatehouse Close, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 3DP, UK. Tel: 0296 393822. Fax: 0296 399757.
New mapping kit for human chromosome 1 American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), in coniunction with Centre &Etude du Poiymorphisme Humain (CEPH, Paris, France), and supported by the US. NlH National Center for Research Resources is distributing a mapping kit for human chromosome 1.
The kit contains 16 DNA probes (15 recombinant plasmids and 1 cosmid; 5 pg DNA each) to detect a subset of ordered genetic markers from the CEPH consortium linkage map of human chromosome 1 (Genomics 9: 686-700, 1991).
The kit (ATCC 77175) is available for $225 from ATCC.
Contact: Dr William Dierman at
ATCC, 12301 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD, 20852, USA. Fax: 301 770 1848 or Dr Howard Cann, CEPH Paris, France. Fax: 33 140 18 02 55.
NEW PRODUCTS AND EQUIPMENT
Cell culture system The Wheaton Proteus Integrated Bio- reactor is a fully automated, self- contained cell culture system, designed for batch and continuous perfusion op- eration of mammalian cell cultures. The bioreactor requires no additional com- ponents as it includes a built-in re- circulating water bath, air compressor and pumps for base addition, media feed and product harvest.
Optional host computer software is available for both IBM compatible and Macintosh computers and provides data logging, distributed control and net- working of up to 32 bioreactors.
Uses for the bench top Bioreactor include small scale production and pro- cess development as well as a broad range of research applications. The bio- reactor is equally suited for the cul- tivation of anchorage dependent and suspension call lines, and can be used with a variety of microcarriers. In ad- dition, by incorporating the optional spin filter, the system can be operated in a continuous perfusion mode.
Contact: Alan Hulme, TechGen In- ternational Ltd, Suite 8, 50 Sulivan Road, London, SW6 3DX. Tel : 071 371 5922. Fax: 071 371 0496.
Water treatment General Waters is a European company with a factory and sales office in Italy and further sales offices in Austria, Switzer- land and the United Kingdom. It was established to produce a complete range of water treating equipment including filtration, demineralisation, softening, reverse osmosis and other associated and ancillary equipment.
The founders of General Waters have been involved for many years in the design and manufacture of high quality, patented water treatment equipment.
General Waters (UK) Ltd is headed by Robin Fitzwilliam who has been involved with water treatment plant production and marketing for over 15 years.
New water filter system The Total Water Filtration System pro- duced by General Waters is a two stage,
News, Reviews and Events 133
multi-media filtering system which has been specifically designed and developed to treat turbid surface waters, coming from lakes, rivers, reservoirs or the sea-but being low in colour iron and manganese.
The primary filter media comprises anthracite supported by an underbed of silica sand. The secondary filter media comprises a medium/fine silica sand layer supported by the final polishing layer of garnet or barium sulphate. The T.F.T. filters system which includes four layers, removes most turbidity; organic matters are neutralised and oxidised in the filter owing to precise chemical injection. The quality of water flowing into the second stage is partially clear, and due to a secondary injection of coagulants, the complete removal of the residual colloidal turbidity occurs in the middle-fine and polishing layers.
Calorimetric water analysis start-up package The Photometer 7000 Laboratory Set from Palintest Ltd is a complete colori- metric water analysis ‘start-up’ package.
Based on a direct-reading photometer, the system can provide a full chemical analysis of drinking and industrial water samples.
Capable of recording the results of up to 250 tests, the photometer is supplied with a dot matrix printer for printouts of test data. Both photometer and printer are battery operated. Test data can also be output to a PC. The kit includes dedicated database software for organ- ising test results and generation of graphical and tabular listing for inclusion in reports.
Calorimetric test reagent packs can be specified for any combination of up to 50 different water quality parameters cover- ing naturally occurring dissolved salts, disinfectants, treatment additives, pol- lutants and parameters such as pH, alkalinity and hardness.
Contact: Colin Marks, Palintest Ltd, Palintest House, Kingsway, Team Valley Estate. Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE1 1 ONS, UK. Tel: 091 491 0808. Fax: 091 482 5372.
Solaar spectrometers Unicam Analytical Systems celebrates 30 years in atomic absorption by an- nouncing their completely new range of high performance spectrometers -the SOLAAR series.
As the flagship of the range, the SOLAAR 959, has standard facilities which include Stockdale double beam optics, QuadLine background correc- tion, the complete Windows 3 based AA software suite and Gilson 222 auto- sampler with fully automatic dilution capability.
A host of new accessories covering vapour analysis, flow injection sampling and intelligent autosamplers complete this landmark in the evolution of AA analysis.
Contact: Jeff Grimes, Unicam Ana- lytical Systems Ltd, York Street, Cam- bridge, CBl 2PX. Tel: 0223 374287.
New filters for HPLC samples Whatman’s range of 13 mm syringe filters has been designed for convenience and efficiency is small sample pre- paration. Manufactured in various pore sizes, from 0.1 to 1.0 pm, and in 11 different filter media, there is a choice of PVDF (a low protein binding mem- brane), hydrophilic Nylon 66, hydro- phobic PTFE, low protein binding poly- sulfone, polypropylene, five popular glass microfibre membranes and 934- AH. ‘Hold-up’ volume is typically 22 ~1, and with the tube tip outlet is < 10 ~1.
All 13 mm devices are constructed of highest quality materials, without sealants, adhesives or releasing agents. If intended for sterile use, most are avail- able irradiation pre-sterilised, and all (lezlczEt, Nylon 66) can be autoclaved at
Whatman 13 mm syringe filter devices can be ordered through any distributor of Whatman products. They are avail- able in packs of 50, 100 or 500 units.
Even smaller filters To maximise sample recovery from sample volumes of 2 ml or less, use the new range of Whatman 4 mm syringe filters.
The new Whatman 4 mm syringe filters consist of a polypropylene housing containing a filter of PVDF, polysulfone, polypropylene, PTFE or nylon 66 media in a choice of pore sizes-from O-1 to 1.0 pm.
Whatman syringe filters have been carefully designed to minimise loss of precious samples within the unit itself- ‘hold-up volume’ is typically 7.5 ~1.
Whatman 4 mm syringe filters are sold
in packs of 50, 100 or 500 units, and most are available in sterile packs if preferred. For ordering details, please contact your usual distributor of Whatman products.
Membrane filtration module Westfalia Separator has developed a new membrane filtration module in co- operation with the GKSS Geesthacht.
The module is suitable for micro- filtration and ultrafiltration as well as for nanofiltration and reverse osmosis.
It enables problem-free processing of products with undissolved solids. Whilst optimum flow conditions and channel height mean no blockages and no ‘dead zones’.
The membranes are welded at the edges and are therefore shaped like pockets. The pockets are inserted be- tween baffle and supporting plates into the module. A gasket seals off the permeate space from the retentate space. Ribs on the plates ensure correct position- ing and ensure a uniform flow across the membrane surface.
Individual membrane packs, which are flowed across in parallel, are separated from one another by the bathe plates. Therefore, depending on the product, the product flow can be parallel or in series.
All commercially organic and inor- ganic membranes can be used as long as they can be welded together.
All parts coming into contact with the product are made of stainless steel or a plastic suitable for foodstuffs.
Defined media supplements from TechGen The Celox Media Supplements are forti- fied, low-protein, multipurpose serum replacements or serum maximizers with proven applications in long-term cell culturing and ideal for controlled culture, producing increased growth. rates and higher productivity.
The Celox range includes a genera1 supplement, TCM= containing only ani- mal proteins, developed for a variety of cell types; TM-235m is ideal for fas- tidious cell lines, typically requiring more than 10 % fetal bovine serum and TCHm, developed specifically for human hybrid- omas and other human cells of lymphoid origin. Containing only human proteins, TCH is ideal for the production of therapeutic proteins.
Celox Corporation also recently intro- duced Cellvation@ a unique cryopreser- vation medium which does not contain DMSO or Serum, formulated for optimised recovery of cells from frozen conditions.
Contact: Jean Meldru, TechGen ln- ternational Ltd, Suite 8, 50 Sulivan Road, London SW6 30X, UK Tel : 071 371 5922. Fax: 071 371 0496.
Complete pH monitoring kit An ‘all-in-one’ user kit containing every- thing that is needed for setting up a low- cost continuous record of pH levels in effluent discharge, has been introduced by Kent-Taylor.
-The Kent-Taylor 9145 pH Effluent Recording Kit is comuletelv self- contained and comprises, hot only the recorder and electrode system, but also the buffer powders, KC1 crystals, con- sumable spares-and even a couple of beakers for carrying out calibration. Easy-to-follow assembly instructions complete the package.
A key cost-savings feature which also simplifies installation is the elimination of the need for a pH transmitter to supply information to the recorder, the recorder accepts input direct from a pH sensor.
Contact: Mr B. D. Lazenby, ABB Kent-Taylor Ltd, Howard Road, Eaton Socon, St Neots, Huntingdon,
New scanning densitometer The PDI DeskTop- plus scanning densitometer available from Vital Scientific, has a range of resolution settings, and can be tailored to satisfy the demands of all images. For difficult separations and compressions tn DNA sequencing films, a resolution of 21.2 pm is extremely useful, while for 2-D gels a resolution of 150 pm strikes a good balance between the spot determination and file size.
By using a white light scanning plat- form, reddish silver and PAS stains and alkaline phosphatase reactions are all accurately detected. White light scanners also work within the range of biological assays and can operate in both trans- mission and reflectance modes.
Vita1 Scientific supplies a family of high performance PDl software for 1-D and 2-D analysis.
Serum free media from TechGen TechGen International has added serum free media from Quality Biological, Inc. to its comprehensive range of products for the Cell Biologist. QBSF” media with defined composition-known com- ponents and concentrations, consistency lot to lot and easier product purification result in increased product yield. QBSF” serum free media provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional serum supple- mented media.
Included in the QBSF@ range are: media designed for suspension cell lines, including HIH3T3 ; media expressly formulated to enhance the production of growth factors and viruses; a medium that supports human LAK cell cyto- toxicity; a medium for use in the ex- pansion of murine and human bone marrow cells in culture; and two formul- ations ideal for the production of hybrid- omas with a mouse myeloma parent. In addition Quality Biological provides a 100 x concentrate of the special serum- free components of QBSF@-51, that can be added to any suitable basal medium.
TIMEO-BIOm waste water treatment blends With the tightening of legislation on environmental pollution and discharge of industrial effluent into river and other water courses, Timeguard Trading Lim- ited are introducing into the market, seven special blends of their TIME- 0-BIO& waste water treatment formulas of aerobic systems which will handle domestic sewage, including heavy grease loading, incoming industrial wastes, cos- metics, salad oils and other petroleum derivatives. High carbohydrate and starch waste and many aliphatic chemical wastes. High loadings of animal, fish and vegetable oils, particularly where protein levels are low. Heavy, tarry types of oils, coal tars and organic sludges. Particu- larly well suited for phenolic and other aromatic chemical structure wastes. For industrial wastes having exceptionally high loadings of proteins, blood and fats. For domestic wastes being treated anaerobically. For domestic complex industrial wastewater streams.
3M audit pack 3M is offering those involved in the clean-up and containment of spills within laboratories a free Hazardous Spill Re- sponse Audit Pack for use within their own organisations.
Many of the liquids encountered with- in today’s workplace can be hazardous to both health and the environment and it is vital that spills are cleaned up and contained quickly and effectively. The pack features a special 1 l-point check list to help users to assess their existing safety procedures and to address any potential problem areas.
The package also incorporates an illustrated working guide to 3M Haz- ardous Spill Response Kits showing the wide range of sorbent materials available for the clean-up and containment of spills.
The pack also entitles the holder to a free training video which clearly outlines all aspects of spillage control.
3M is a trademark.
Contact: Ros Rowlings, 3M Gccu- pational Health Group, Division 3, Free- post, PO Box 21, 47 Aylesbury Road, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3PG, UK. Tel: 0800 212490.
