The Column-09-21-2011

Janet Kelsey of The Column spoke to Geofrey K. Wyatt of Wyatt Technology about MALS technology and how standards set by the European Pharmacopoeia dictate the type of instrumentation used for characterizing hydroxyethyl starch for pharmaceutical use. The advantages of using MALS instrumentation are also explained.

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) provides details on how to perform experiments to characterize dissolution behaviour of conventional release dosage forms. These instructions cover procedures for running the experiments and for assessing the data.

Adulteration of food and beverages is a significant problem involving many different edible products.

Laboratory service and support includes a wide variety of services that aim to maintain, restore or improve the functionality of industrial laboratories. Instrument repair is only one aspect of this complicated business area. This category involves out-of-warranty systems or parts not covered under a service contract. Preventative maintenance, calibration, validation, remote support, training, asset management and various types of consulting are other areas where vendors can provide additional service and added value to their product offerings. As a result, the service business has become the main driver of increased revenues for some companies in the instrumentation industry.

Waters has recognized the Center for Proteomics at the Translational Genomics Research Institute, in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, as a Waters Center of Innovation. In particular the company recognized the work of Dr Konstantinos Petritis, head of the centre, and his team for their leadership in the research of proteomics and biomarker discovery and verification.

Concerns over the effect that the increasing use of soy beans and other crops for biodiesel could have on food and agricultural markets has led scientists to an unlikely new source: alligator fat.

Analysis of the hair of ancient Egyptian mummies has found that they used a fat-based ?hair gel? to style their hair. According to researchers this was used as a beauty product during daily life, and during the mummification process where more elaborate styles were created to preserve the deceased?s individuality in death.

Incognito's enthusiasm for mobile technology is undeniable as he compiles his wish list of ideal apps for separation scientists.

The Australian Research Centre?s Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology will use Agilent Technologies? informatics systems in its research to build a plant protein monitoring database. The centre will use an HPLC-Chip MS system, Openlab Electronic Lab Notebook and Enterprise Content Manager.