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Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces Workflows at AACC 2011 to Accelerate Results in the Clinical Laboratory

25 Jul 2011
bridget bridget
Laboratory Director

Product news

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. today introduced a comprehensive range of clinical research and diagnostic products at the annual conference of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC). From automated sample handling to innovative sample analysis and storage solutions, Thermo Fisher provides an integrated approach to accelerating results in the clinical laboratory. Visit Booth #1720 during Clinical Lab Expo at the AACC conference being held at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, from July 26-28.


"We are committed to developing products and solutions that simplify the clinical chemistry workflow and allow our customers to focus their attention on patients," said Marc N. Casper, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. "Our novel biomarkers, for example, used to diagnose life-threatening illnesses, enable our customers to improve patient outcomes and reduce the length of associated hospital stays. The AACC conference provides us with the opportunity to showcase our depth of capabilities in clinical diagnostics and hear directly from our customers about their goals for improving patient care."

Advances in drugs-of-abuse testing and therapeutic drug monitoring

This year at AACC, the company will introduce the Thermo Scientific Indiko, a fully automated, compact chemistry analyzer. The Indiko recently received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is designed for routine clinical chemistry applications, including drugs-of-abuse testing and therapeutic drug monitoring. The system employs Thermo Scientific bar-coded reagents to simplify operation and allow flexibility in the use of the equipment.

Also at AACC is the Thermo Scientific QMS Everolimus Reagent kit which recently received FDA clearance for use on an automated clinical analyzer to monitor levels of anti-rejection medication in the blood of kidney transplant patients.

In the rapidly evolving market for drugs-of-abuse testing, the company's six new Thermo Scientific Oral Fluid immunoassays provide a dramatic improvement in convenience over conventional methods. These FDA-cleared assays are used to test for amphetamines, cannabinoids (THC), cocaine, methamphetamines, opiates and PCP.

Improved productivity in clinical research applications

Thermo Fisher will also highlight an improved liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) workflow for immunosuppressant analysis designed to improve productivity in clinical research applications. Within this workflow, the Thermo Scientific Versette automated liquid-handling platform is used to simplify the sample-handling method, whether the research chemist is transitioning from handheld pipetting or establishing an integrated system. This workflow also incorporates the latest release of Thermo Scientific TraceFinder 1.1 software, designed for use in clinical research and forensic toxicology testing.

TraceFinder software has been specifically adapted for use on the Thermo Scientific Transcend system known for its Turbo-Flow technology and multiplexing capability. Multiplexing allows up to four independent HPLC channels to connect to a single mass spectrometer, reducing cost and increasing clinical research laboratory flexibility and productivity.

Innovative solutions for sample protection and storage

The Thermo Scientific Revco UxF Series ultra-low temperature freezer, also new at AACC, provides sample protection in a variety of capacities while maintaining high standards for energy efficiency and space utilization. In addition, the new Thermo Scientific AssayAssure sample preservation kits ensure sample integrity without refrigeration.

For more information on the comprehensive range of Thermo Scientific clinical research and diagnostic products, please visit booth #1720 during AACC 2011 or visit the online media room at the company article page.

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Combinatorial ChemistryCombinatorial chemistry, also known as combichem, is a technique used in drug discovery to create libraries of structurally related compounds. A library is generated by synthesis with a chemical reactor system or by computer-based modeling of compound combinations. When undertaking combinatorial chemistry consider reagents, buffers, resins and standards.Lab-on-a-ChipLab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology uses microfluidic chips, such as microarrays, to perform biochemical assays on a small scale. Benefits of lab-on-a-chip include the small volume of sample required as well as the speed of analysis. In selecting lab-on-a-chip devices consider the assay, cost, reliability, sensitivity and signal to noise ratio.High-Throughput ScreeningHigh-throughput screening (HTS) is an automated drug discovery technique for identification of active compounds against a compound library. Use HTS readers and integrated assay preparation / analysis workstations to screen your compounds. Identify active compounds against various HTS libraries, including membranes, proteins and peptides and HTS cell lines. Find the best high-throughput screening products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.ADME-ToxicologyADME-toxicology (ADME-Tox) studies are used in pharmacology and pharmacokinetics to assess the activity/toxicity of drugs <i>in vivo</i> or <i>in vitro</i>. Find bioassays for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drug molecules including cytotoxicity, transporter/permeability, metabolism and activity assays as well as hepatocytes and cell lines for ADME. Find the best ADME-toxicology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Assay AssemblyAssay Assembly is technique used in drug discovery to develop assays to test the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, or other activities of a compound on a cell. Assay assembly requires chip assembly, a delivery system and a detection and analysis method. Beneficial features of assay kits or automated systems include high-throughput, high speed and sensitivity and low signal to noise ratio.Medicinal ChemistryMedicinal chemistry is a broad discipline encompassing the design, identification, synthesis and development of chemicals in drug discovery. It includes a number of techniques covering structural biology, synthetic chemistry and molecular biology. Technologies used in medicinal chemistry include ADME, lab-on-a-chip, high content screening and assay assembly.Microarray AnalysisMicroarrays, also known as biochips, are used for the detection and analysis of multiple genes, proteins, antibodies, or biomarkers on a single microchip. This can reveal information on protein or gene expression, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), copy number variation (CNV), epigenetics and patient health in clinical diagnostic tests. Discover a range of microarray scanners and prefabricated antibody, protein, RNA and DNA microarrays for your analysis or consider creating your own custom microarrays with a microarray printer. Find the best microarray products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Process ChemistryProcess chemistry is an important stage of drug development for scaling-up drug production or chemical synthesis reactions. It is useful for optimizing economical and efficient drug production. Process chemistry uses reactors and pump systems as well as reagents, standards and buffers.Blood TransfusionBlood Transfusion involves giving donor blood to a recipient patient. Screening is essential to avoid transfusion reactions. Blood banks use immunohematological techniques to determine rh and ABO blood group, and screen for antibodies using specific antisera. Blood Banks use Direct Coombs Tests (DCT) and Indirect Coombs Tests (IAT) to detect hemolysis and Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN).HematologyIn Haematology / Hematology, complete blood cell counts (or full blood counts) are obtained using automated blood count analyzers to enumerate blood cell types.  Hematology also encompasses haemostasis and coagulation, thrombophilia and hemophilia, plasma viscosity and ESR analysis, hemoglobinopathies, cell morphology and haematinic measurement.ImmunologyImmunological techniques measure and characterize immune responses. Immunology kits and analysis systems often use techniques such as ELISA, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunodiffusion assays, Immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Immunologists use equipment such as flow Cytometers, plate readers, plate washers and fluorescent microscopes.Cellular PathologyCellular Pathology deals with the microscopic analysis of tissue samples and cells. Sample preparation and processing includes fixation, staining, sectioning and slide mounting, using equipment such microtomes and cryostats. In choosing immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry kits, consider chromogens, staining method, antibodies, microscopes and imaging.High-Content ScreeningHigh-content screening (HCS), also known as high-content analysis (HCA), is a high-throughput technique used in drug discovery to identify substances that alter the phenotype of cells. HCS uses fluorescent microscopic imaging and automated image analysis to investigate cellular events such as apoptosis, cell viability, GPCR activation, oxide production, neurite outgrowth, and cell signaling. Find the best fluorescent labeling reagents, cellular assays, and high-content imaging systems in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Point-of-CarePoint-of-Care Testing (POCT) or Near Patient Testing (NPT) products are available for urine, blood and other clinical chemistry analyses. POCT includes: blood glucose testing, blood gas and electrolytes analysis, rapid coagulation testing (PT / INR), rapid cardiac markers diagnostics, drugs of abuse screening, urine strips testing, pregnancy testing, fecal occult blood analysis, food pathogens screening, hemoglobin diagnostics, infectious disease testing and cholesterol screening.Clinical TrialsClinical Trials, an essential part of drug discovery process, assess the safety and effectiveness of a new medication or device in the pharmaceutical industry. Clinical Trials are a phased process (Phase 0, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III and Phase IV) which begins after initial preclinical testing.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces Workflows at AACC 2011 to Accelerate Results in the Clinical Laboratory