INTEGRA Biosciences has developed its GripTip pipette tips range to overcome the problems associated with the use of universal pipette tips. Universal pipette tips require hammering on to stretch the tip, often resulting in a suboptimal fit that can lead to loose, leaking and falling off tips. GripTips are designed to offer a perfect fit on INTEGRA pipettes, effortlessly snapping onto the tip fittings with low attachment and ejection forces. This ensures that all tips are at the same height, guaranteeing perfect alignment and seal, even when performing side well touch-offs. They span a wide volume range – from 0.5 to 5000 µl – and are available in sterile,  non-sterile and filtered options. The portfolio also includes a number of specialty GripTips, such as low retention tips for recovering viscous solutions, wide bore tips for cellular applications, short tips for improved ergonomics and targeting of small wells, and extra long tips for improved access to tubes. This range is continuously being expanded to ensure that there are GripTips to meet the needs of every customer, for every application. The two latest tips include a 1250 µl short tip – perfect for ergonomically pipet-ting large volumes, by eliminating the need to hold the pipette high over the bench, reducing the risk of RSI – and a 300-µl long tip that, at 102 mm long, enables the user to easily reach the bottom of standard 100 ml tubes. To aid tip selection, INTEGRA has launched its GripTip selector, simply using filters to identify the most suitable tips for the required workflow in seconds.

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AMSBIO has introduced StemFit for Differentiation – a new chemically defined and animal component-free formulation that enables unmatched differentiation of human Induced Pluripotent Stem (hiPS) and Embryonic Stem (hES) cells.
The unique chemically defined composition of StemFit for Differentiation minimizes lot-to-lot variation, enabling highly consistent cell differentiation. Free of animal- and human-derived components, StemFit for Differentiation can be used to eliminate the risk of immunogenic contamination.
Applications proven to benefit from StemFit for Differentiation include: lineage-specific (endodermal, mesodermal and ectodermal) differentiation where this new product is used to replace serum-free supplements, as well as spontaneous differentiation of hiPSCs to organoids via embryoid body formation.
Used in combination with StemFit Basic feeder-free medium with iMatrix-511 laminin as extracellular matrix, StemFit for Differentiation enables researchers to undertake clinical applications involving both expansion and differentiation of human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived cells and tissues.
Supplied as a 5X concentrate, StemFit for Differentiation has been formulated for use with basal cell culture medium (e.g. DMEM, RPMI 1640, DMEM/F12 etc.) and a variety of different induction factors or cytokines (including Activin A and bFGF from AMSBIO).

• For further information on StemFit for Differentiation, visit: www.amsbio.com/stemfit-for-differentiation

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TRIMERO has added to its catalogue a new Serum Amyloid A, CE-IVD marked, particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay. Applications are available for the most popular clinical chemistry analysers, and for IMMAGE® nephelometers of Beckman Coulter. In order to ensure lot to lot traceability, the assay has been standardized to the Serum Amyloid A (SAA) 1^st International Standard (NIBSC code: 92/680) of the WHO (World Health Organization).

Other available assays for turbidimetry and nephelometry include:

KLoneus® Free Light Chains (FLC), IgD Immunoglobulins, Retinol Binding Protein (RBP) for serum and urine, Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR), Hemopexin, Cystatin-C for serum and urine, A1-Microglobulin, B2-Microglobulin for serum and urine, Kappa and Lambda Light Chains for serum and urine, Complement C1q, Complement C5, Factor B (C3 Proactivator), C1 (Esterase) Inhibitor.   

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Porvair Sciences has expanded its range of high quality, black microplates that minimise sample degradation by exposure to light, even over long storage periods.
Available in a choice of 48-, 96- and 384-well formats – the black plates are precisely manufactured to applicable ANSI / SLAS dimensions ensuring complete compatibility with almost all readers and automated equipment. Manufactured from polypropylene, the range of black microplates offer excellent heat and solvent resistant qualities. Using only ultra-pure grade polymer means that each black plate has near zero leachates ensuring long-term sample integrity. The black plates are supplied RNase / DNase free meaning they can be used to store the most sensitive biological samples. To prevent evaporation, hydration of DMSO solutions and to completely eliminate light from samples – Porvair Sciences additionally offers a selection of Absorb Max light blocking sealing films that may be applied to the top of the black plates. A split backing and edge cut-outs make positioning and applying the sealing film quick and simple. The light-blocking and absorbing properties of Porvair Sciences black microplates, used in conjunction with Absorb Max sealing films, provides a perfect combination for protecting light-sensitive assays or samples during storage.
For more information, visit: www.microplates.com/solid-bottom
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Horizon Discovery Group, a leader in the application of gene editing and gene modulation for cell line engineering, says its cGMP-compliant CHOSOURCE™ platform has played a key role in generating a stable cell line for the development of an immunotherapy for autoimmune diseases. Horizon’s pharmaceutical-grade, stable Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells delivered high yields of monoclonal antibody for LAG-3 immunotherapy, enabling Immutep and Batavia Biosciences to reach an important milestone in the preclinical development of the compound.
Horizon’s gene-edited Glutamine Synthetase (GS) knockout CHO K1 cell line expression system, offered by Batavia Biosciences as part of its STEP®-mAb service, was used to generate a high yielding cell line for Immutep’s IMP761 product candidate, an agonist antibody targeting the immune checkpoint lymphocyte activation gene (LAG)-3. LAG-3 controls the signalling between specific immune cells, T cells and antigen presenting cells, which are responsible for the adaptive immune response, making it a promising focus for novel cancer therapies or for the treatment of autoimmune conditions, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
Horizon’s GS expression system facilitates the development of stable cell lines for the expression of antibodies and other recombinant proteins and is recognized in the industry and by regulators as suitable for high yield biomanufacturing. Its CHOSOURCE biomanufacturing platform helps companies to move from the DNA sequence of their potential biotherapeutic to clinical manufacturing as simply and rapidly as possible. The platform is versatile and suitable for a broad range of monoclonal antibody therapeutics, delivering higher-than-anticipated yields of less commonly used IgG4-based antibodies, such as IMP761.
Terry Pizzie, CEO, Horizon Discovery said: “We are dedicated to ensuring availability of key technologies that can improve affordability of medicines worldwide. Our CHOSOURCE biomanufacturing platform is empowering organizations from early stage start-ups to large pharmaceutical companies to drive efficiencies throughout development and production and has already been utilized in multiple successful innovative new drug filings.”
The complete CHOSOURCE system includes the GS knockout CHO K1 cell line, a comprehensive package of supporting documentation, and an expression vector supplied under license from DNATwoPointO, Inc.
• For more information, visit: https://horizondiscovery.com/navigation/cho-cells
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