MDS Analytical Technologies Announces Validation of Two More Kits for High-Throughput Detection of Melamine in Food
19 Februar 2009 - 2:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Protocols developed for assay kits from Beacon Analytical Systems
and Romer Labs for use on SpectraMax(R) microplate readers with
SoftMax(R) Pro analytical software SUNNYVALE, CA, Feb. 19
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MDS Analytical Technologies, a leader in
innovative solutions for drug discovery and life sciences research,
today announced that two new assay kits - the Melamine Plate Kit
from Beacon Analytical Systems, which focuses on the development
and manufacture of immunodiagnostic kits for environmental and
food/feed testing markets, and the AgraQuant Melamine ELISA Test
Kits from Romer Labs, a leader in diagnostic solutions for
mycotoxins and genetically modified organisms - have been validated
for use on MDS Analytical Technologies' SpectraMax(R) absorbance
microplate readers with SoftMax(R) Pro 5 GxP analytical software,
an industry-standard analysis software for FDA 21 CFR Part 11
compliance. This high-throughput solution from MDS Analytical
Technologies offers a cost-effective method for the detection of
melamine, an organic industrial polymer that has recently been
found in various foods and may cause serious illness or death.
These enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) solutions offer
food-safety technicians more options in their continued effort to
detect the presence of melamine. "Melamine contamination continues
to be a major concern and emphasis on finding effective detection
methods is growing," said Andy Boorn, President of MDS Analytical
Technologies. "In the past three months, MDS Analytical
Technologies has now validated three such detection kits to run on
our hardware and software. We're very pleased to be the emerging
leader in high-throughput, cost-effective melamine detection
solutions." Mass-spectrometry systems made by MDS Analytical
Technologies are also used throughout the world to scan, identify
and measure food contaminants, such as melamine. Mass-spectrometry
systems, including the recently announced AB SCIEX QTRAP(R) 5500
and AB SCIEX Triple Quad(TM) 5500, deliver high sensitivity,
selectivity, high speed and reliability of results in laboratory
analysis, enabling rapid detection and ultimately stronger
compliance with, and enforcement of, food-safety regulations.
SpectraMax(R) microplate readers can be integrated with the MDS
Analytical Technologies' StakMax(R) microplate handling system.
Technicians may also configure the StakMax(R) system with MDS
Analytical Technologies' AquaMax(R) 4000 microplate washer. These
combinations can be used to maximize throughput while minimizing
manual plate handling. To download application notes on this
method, please visit http://www.moleculardevices.com/melamine.
Alternatively, customers can call our Customer Service department
at (408) 747-1700 to speak to a sales representative. About
SpectraMax(R) Absorbance Microplate Readers MDS Analytical
Technologies, which acquired Molecular Devices Corporation in 2007,
is a leading supplier of microplate reader systems to academic,
pharmaceutical, and biotechnology research groups worldwide. The
Company offers several multi-mode detection systems including
SpectraMax(R) M5e and SpectraMax(R) M2e microplate readers, as well
as SpectraMax(R) 340 PC, VersaMax(TM), VMax(R), and EMax(R)
single-mode microplate readers. The Company's SpectraMax(R)
patented technologies, such as PathCheck(R) well-volume detection,
dual-monochromators, and SmartOptics design, enable researchers
more flexibility, sensitivity, and ease-of-use for the broadest
range of assays. The PathCheck(R) sensor is the only patented
technology available that measures the depth (optical pathlength)
of a sample in a microplate. When combined with SoftMax(R) Pro
software, it automatically normalizes the well absorbance to a
cuvette equivalent pathlength of one centimeter. The patented
dual-monochromator design uses two scanning monochromators to
determine optimal excitation and emission settings, eliminating the
need for expensive filters. Find out more at
http://www.moleculardevices.com/pages/instruments/readers_main.html.
About SoftMax(R) Pro 5 GxP Analytical Software SoftMax(R) Pro 5 GxP
analytical software, which is FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant, raises
the bar for microplate data acquisition and analysis. This software
solution, which runs on all microplate readers offered by MDS
Analytical Technologies, offers significant enhancements over
previous releases, including five parameter (5PL) logistic curve
fitting; parallel line analysis (PLA) with observation weighting;
more than 120 ready-to-run assay protocols for instant results
generation; native support for Mac OS X; XML export and
multiple-destination AutoSave with new options; enhanced Windows
Interprocess Messaging for better robotics/LIMS/SDMS integration;
more detailed printed headers and footers; and full
backwards-compatibility. Find out more at
http://www.moleculardevices.com/pages/software/softmax.html. About
MDS Analytical Technologies MDS Analytical Technologies, a business
unit of MDS Inc., is focused on the research, design, manufacture
and marketing of state-of-the-art tools for mass-spectrometry, drug
discovery and bioresearch. MDS Analytical Technologies' products
are designed to help accelerate the complex process of discovering
and developing new drug compounds, and are sold to research
scientists around the world. The mass-spectrometer product lines
are also sold globally through joint ventures with two of the
world's leading analytical instrumentation and life-sciences
companies, Life Technologies Corporation and PerkinElmer, Inc. Find
out more at http://www.mdssciex.com/ or
http://www.moleculardevices.com/. About MDS Inc. MDS Inc. (TSX:
MDS; NYSE: MDZ) is a global life-sciences company that provides
market-leading products and services that our customers need for
the development of drugs and diagnosis and treatment of disease. We
are a leading global provider of pharmaceutical contract research,
medical isotopes for molecular imaging, radiotherapeutics, and
analytical instruments. MDS, Inc. has more than 5,000 highly
skilled people in 29 countries. Find out more at
http://www.mdsinc.com/ or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a
day. DATASOURCE: MDS Inc. CONTACT: MEDIA: Tom Driscoll, (408)
747-3681, ; INVESTORS: Kim Lee, (416) 213-4721,
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