Peaks of Interest
Varian acquires Polymer Labs, Thermo contributes to Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund, and French Police select Whatman for DNA collection.
Varian acquires Polymer Labs
Varian, Inc. (Palo Alto, California) recently announced that it has acquired PL International, Ltd. (Shropshire, United Kingdom), and its subsidiaries including Polymer Laboratories, Ltd. (Amherst, Massachusetts) for approximately $42 million in cash. The transaction includes an opportunity for up to $23 million of additional payments over three years, depending upon financial performance.
Polymer Laboratories develops of consumables and instrumentation for advanced polymer analysis, including columns, standards, and specialist chromatography systems dedicated to gel permeation chromatography analysis.
Laboratory Information Management Systems
"The acquisition of Polymer Laboratories is strategic to the advancement of Varian's goal to grow the applications-based consumable products to become a larger portion of the business," said Garry W. Rogerson, president and CEO of Varian.
The acquisition is part of the company's strategy to strengthen its product portfolio with internal research and development efforts and strategic acquisitions of complementary products and technologies.
Thermo contributes to Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund
Thermo Electron (Waltham, Massachusetts) recently has announced that it will match employee contributions to the Red Cross in support of the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. During the days following the disaster, the company's employees contributed money, food, water, medicines, and other relief to help the evacuees and those remaining in the affected areas.
French Police select Whatman for DNA collection
Whatman (Florham Park, New Jersey) recently announced that the French Police and French Gendarmerie Nationale have chosen the company's Indicating FTA Cards for the collection and transportation of buccal cell samples for forensic investigations. This agreement extends the relationship that began in 2000, when France first implemented a comprehensive database for the storage of criminal DNA.
"When our samples are collected and sent to our laboratories for processing, we need to be completely confident that the samples will maintain their integrity throughout the transportation process," said Captain Frederic Brard, head of the High Throughput Laboratory of the Gendarmerie Nationale. "After evaluating several products for DNA collection and analysis, it was clear that our original choice, Whatman FTA, is still the most reliable product available."
New Study Uses MSPE with GC–MS to Analyze PFCAs in Water
January 20th 2025Scientists from the China University of Sciences combined magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to analyze perfluoro carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in different water environments.
The Next Frontier for Mass Spectrometry: Maximizing Ion Utilization
January 20th 2025In this podcast, Daniel DeBord, CTO of MOBILion Systems, describes a new high resolution mass spectrometry approach that promises to increase speed and sensitivity in omics applications. MOBILion recently introduced the PAMAF mode of operation, which stands for parallel accumulation with mobility aligned fragmentation. It substantially increases the fraction of ion used for mass spectrometry analysis by replacing the functionality of the quadrupole with high resolution ion mobility. Listen to learn more about this exciting new development.
A Guide To Finding the Ideal Syringe and Needle
January 20th 2025Hamilton has produced a series of reference guides to assist science professionals in finding the best-suited products and configurations for their applications. The Syringe and Needle Reference Guide provides detailed information on Hamilton Company’s full portfolio of syringes and needles. Everything from cleaning and preventative maintenance to individual part numbers are available for review. It also includes selection charts to help you choose between syringe terminations like cemented needles and luer tips.
The Complexity of Oligonucleotide Separations
January 9th 2025Peter Pellegrinelli, Applications Specialist at Advanced Materials Technology (AMT) explains the complexity of oligonucleotide separations due to the unique chemical properties of these molecules. Issues such as varying length, sequence complexity, and hydrophilic-hydrophobic characteristics make efficient separations difficult. Separation scientists are addressing these challenges by modifying mobile phase compositions, using varying ion-pairing reagents, and exploring alternative separation modes like HILIC and ion-exchange chromatography. Due to these complexities, AMT has introduced the HALO® OLIGO column, which offers high-resolution, fast separations through its innovative Fused-Core® technology and high pH stability. Alongside explaining the new column, Peter looks to the future of these separations and what is next to come.
Oasis or Sand Dune? Isolation of Psychedelic Compounds
January 20th 2025Magic mushrooms, once taboo, have recently experienced a renaissance. This new awakening is partially due to new findings that indicate the effects of psilocybin, and its dephosphorylated cousin psilocin may produce long lasting results for patients who might be struggling with anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Hamilton Company has developed a methodology for the isolation and identification of 5 common psychedelic compounds used in the potential treatment of disease. The PRP-1 HPLC column resin remains stable in the harsh alkaline conditions ideal for better separations.
