Particles

05/01/2005

Compiled by Steve Smith

One-hour online opportunity

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill.-Gordon Ely of Nelson Laboratories will lead an online class covering biocontamination issues, Wednesday, June 22, at 11 a.m. (CDT) via the IEST’s Web site (www.iest.org). The one-hour class will cover detection, enumeration and identification of microorganisms. Class notes and copies of two ISO standards on biocontamination will be included. More information on the class and how to participate can be found at the IEST Web site.

Tissue-tracking technique

AUSTIN, Texas-LifeCell (Branchburg, N.J.; www.lifecell.com), a developer of human-derived tissue-based products used in reconstructive, urogynecologic and orthopedic surgical procedures, has implemented ClearOrbit’s Gemini Simplified Interface and Compliance Label Manager to automate key processes within its manufacturing module. LifeCell, like other life-science manufacturers, is required by the FDA to record and store highly detailed data generated by patented, multistep operations. The ClearOrbit technology provides LifeCell and other life-science companies RF mobile automation and bar code scanning of key operations, plus a sophisticated rules engine to facilitate adherence to FDA product labeling requirements.

MEMS-based MicroGyro manufacture

CONCORD, Calif.-BEI Systron Donner Automotive Division (www.systron.com), a manufacturer of inertial sensors for the automotive market, has chosen Thailand-based Fabrinet (www.fabrinet.com) to manufacture its quartz MEMS technology-based MicroGyro assemblies. GyroChip sensors are applicable in safety, comfort and convenience automotive systems; the largest application to date being yaw rate sensing in vehicle antiskid control systems. BEI Systron Donner says it chose Fabrinet in part because of its Thailand base of operations. Thailand is one of the world’s largest producers of automobiles and automobile parts. Manufacturing of the MicroGyro assemblies will include processes in Class 100 cleanrooms.

Rapid research results

NEWARK, Del.-Nanobiotechnology developed by ANP Technologies Inc. (www.anptinc.com) is being teamed with an ASIC-based automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) by Cogent Systems (S. Pasadena, Calif.; www.cogentsystems.com) for development of a rapid biological detection system used in the identification and quantification of various biological agents-including B. anthracis spores, botulinum toxin, as well as biomarkers related to certain diseases. The assay and detection system will initially be used by Department of Defense programs and agencies. The technology is said to provide military personnel in the battlefield with both “detect to warn” and “detect to treat” purposes. “This same system has potential to revolutionize translational medicine by enabling scientists, both in the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries, to perform billions of experiments utilizing less time and reagents to produce similar results relative to technologies in existence today,” says Tom Bodnar, vice president for business operations at ANP Technologies. “This technology has the capability to extend into personalized medicine by providing rapid diagnostic results, correlating drug efficacies within specific patient groups through protein profiling, and enabling better choices of drugs for individual patients.”