New products

Receiver Plates Two new receiver plates facilitate high-throughput, artificial membrane layer transport assays. These assays are being widely adopted in the drug discovery process to accelerate compound profiling. The rapid access to high-quality, lipidlayer permeability data augments the selection process prior to more expensive cell-based assays. The disposable MultiScreen Transport Receiver plate is a precision-injection, molded accessory that eliminates the need for cleaning steps between assays. The low-evaporation design accommodates in-plate mixing or stirring and exhibits high drug recovery. Also available is the made-to-order, reusable MultiScreen PTFE Acceptor plate, which offers broad chemical compatibility and low drug binding. Millipore For information 800-MILLIPORE www.millipore.com/bioscience


Centrifugal Liquid Extraction (CLE)
The VectaSep CLE (R) Extraction device, recently launched by Whatman International, has quickly established itself as a time and cost saving means of preparing aqueous clinical samples prior to chromatography or other analytical techniques. A good example of its effectiveness is in the analysis of Ibuprofen in urine, where 95-100% extractions can be achieved when present at levels of 1-5 gg/ml. The ready-to-use VectaSep CLE @ is made from precision moulded, high purity polypropylene; it is a disposable sample extraction device and has been created for use in 15 ml rotor cups within standard laboratory centrifuges. It comprises four parts: a tube with separate cap, a sample disperser with integral microporous dispersion membrane which forms the basis of the controlled centrifugal extraction process and a separating cup. Extraction of the Ibuprofen from urine is by a simple two-step process. The first step involves the controlled extrusion of a 500 gl urine sample, diluted to 1"5 ml with 0"02 M phosphate buffered saline containing the internal standard Flurbiprofen, from the sample disperser through the dispersion membrane into 8"5 ml of extraction solvent (ethyl acetate). The extrusion requires just a short 10 minute centrifuge spin, undertaken at 35 C and 1500 g.
In the second stage, the sample disperser is replaced by a separating cup. A second, 10 centrifuge spin locates this cup at the solvent/sample junction, prior to the selective isolation of the Ibuprofen and the internal standard by evaporation to dryness under a light stream of oxygen free nitrogen, at 50 C.
Finally, the extract is reconstituted in 70% acetonitrile and 30% 0"05 M phosphoric acid and injected onto a 0142-0453/97 $12"00 (C) 1997 Taylor  Oxford's XRF Window TM software, which incorporates the pre-loaded methods. Qualitative, semi-quantitative, and full quantitative analysis techniques are all included, plus an 'unknowns' facility, which gives rapid elemental composition of samples with the results presented in a powerful graphical display. The software also allows a database of results to be compiled, which can be used for future comparative work and report generation. Ease of use and total flexibility are ensured. The analyser offers exceptional results and total flexibility to cope with changing requirements in quality control, development and investigative problems.
Details from Oxford Instruments (see above).
X-ray fluorescence analysis of petroleum products The MDX1000 uses a new technique in X-ray fluorescence-multi-dispersive XRF. The technique combines the benefits of the classical techniques of EDXRF and WDXRF to allow high performance, simultaneous measurement to be made on both low and high atomic number elements.
Oxford Instruments' MDX1000 is a fully integrated spectrometer which was designed with the industrial user in mind. It can be located either in a laboratory or close to the process to be controlled. The spectrometer's detection system allows simultaneous measurements to be made over a wide concentration range, from high percentage to ppm levels in a variety of sample types.including liquids, solids, granules, powders and pastes. Dedicated applications packages, including ones designed for routine analysis of sulphur in oil to ASTM D2622; lead in petrol to ASTM D5059; nickel and vanadium in fuel oils; and magnesium, potassium, sulphur, chlorine, calcium, barium and zinc in lubricating oils are available. Additional applications packages designed for analysis of minerals, limestone, cement, glass and silica sand, and polymers are also available.
More information from Oxford Instruments (see above).

Free spectra and chromatographic data viewer
The Galactic Data Viewer is a tool for viewing and displaying spectra and chromatographic data in the popular Galactic SPC format. It supports zooming, autoscaling, viewing single subfiles in a multifile, and copying images to the clipboard. The program, which runs under Windows 95 or Windows NT4"0, is provided free of charge and can be down loaded from the Galactic web site--http://www.galactic.com.
A beta test copy of an enhanced version of the Galactic Data Viewer is also available on the web site. In addition to the features of the standard viewer, the enhanced version supports OLE linking and embedding. This OLE compliant server application allows users to copy and embed spectral traces or chromatograms into any OLE compliant application and view/zoom the data in place. Energy-saving processor At just 10 x 15 x 7 cm, the compact VacuProcessor is compact and simple to instal and was designed for use in process industries employing vacuum technology. Many multi-suction cup systems can be over dimensioned as designers try to compensate for leakages caused by poor or non-attachment of suction cups. In most cases, this is dealt with by increasing the underlying vacuum. As a result, systems often become complex and expensive as pumps are added to meet vacuum requirements. Available in two versions, electronically (MCE 4-001) and pneumatically (MCP 4-R) regulated, the VacuProcessor was designed to solve these problems and a single unit can control up to four channels. Each channel has its own pre-set vacuum guard connected to a control valve. In the event of a leakage, the unit automatically switches off the corresponding valve. In the electronically regulated version, suction cup operation can be defined to meet complex handling requirements. In simple terms, should only three cups be needed, then the fourth is switched off. In systems where more than four suction cups are required, a number of VacuProcessors can be connected to create a multi-cup system. Further energy savings are possible by installing the VacuProcessor together with an ES-08/1 or ES-25/1 energy saver system. This is a simple, dial controlled unit which maintains a stable vacuum without the need to constantly run the pump which is only switched on when the vacuum drops below a pre-set level. good reasons for examining the mission of a PSRE, and in certain areas, and for certain institutes, privatization may be the right solution. But it is very evident that this repeated examination is doing damage in terms of productivity and morale. Indeed, the sensible way to proceed would be for all PSRE's to be subject to periodic external reviews (say every five years) of the type carried out by Research Councils who use visiting committees, which include international experts where necessary'. He stressed the importance of basic and strategic research and research which is essential to underpin the statutory, policy and regulatory functions of government, such as that conducted in the Toxicology Unit of the Medical Research Council or in the Public Health Laboratory Service. He said that research is also needed to underpin other functions of government, such as defence and health--a long-term need to build up expertise in readiness for unexpected developments.
'Basic research can ultimately yield extraordinary returns to society, but it is difficult to estimate its benefits quantitatively since its results may be used in many directions. Moreover there is often a significant delay between the dissemination of fundamental knowledge and its eventual effect on industrial processes. Basic investment must be made many years ahead and the investment must be not only in institutions but above all in people, in human resources. Research may be initiated in programmes and by committees, but it takes place in the brains and hands of individuals'.
The discovery of a new form of carbon, closed spherical cages of carbon atoms called fullerenes, made by a Royal Society Research Professor, Sir Harry Kroto, F.R.S., and two American colleagues, arose from 'as unlikely a quarter as one could imagine, namely Kroto's research to investigate compounds of carbon in interstellar space'.
This has led to further discoveries with new possibilities for superconducting materials. The discovery was also recognized this year by the award of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
A copy of Sir Aaron's full speech is available from the Press & Public Relations Unit, The Royal Society, London SW17 5AG.