On the cutting edge

LONDON—Beginning this issue’s collection of recent technology news, Desktop Genetics Ltd., a company looking to revolutionize the way biologists use CRISPR genome-editing technology, announced in October the launch of its DESKGEN Series CRISPR Libraries to support gene-editing efforts in academic and biopharma settings. The series consists of six new CRISPR library products, each of which can be tailored to an investigator’s list of genomic targets using any delivery method.

Unlike standard off-the-shelf CRISPR libraries, DESKGEN Libraries reportedly allow researchers to look at the targets they're interested in, opening the door to novel discovery. By meeting the client’s requirements with a bespoke CRISPR library, and designed with the latest know-how in genome editing, these new products are said to provide researchers with fewer false positives and negatives and the confidence needed to support claims made in basic and preclinical research. The company provides both large- and small-scale library development and can meet the needs of both functional genomics and drug discovery laboratories regardless of budget.

“With a DESKGEN Library, you really are setting up your experiment or screen for success, as you will have the best tool for the job—no matter what that job may be. This is the first time that such best-in-class CRISPR libraries have been made available in a fully customizable manner, and as a result, researchers neither have to waste time designing libraries themselves, nor take a risk that the data generated from an off-the-shelf alternative be redundant or incorrect,” said Riley Doyle, CEO of Desktop Genetics. “We are committed to maintaining the supremacy of the DESKGEN AI design platform, and will continue to deliver more and more solutions that enable novel discovery in all fields that exploit CRISPR, including drug discovery, agricultural biotech and basic research.”

Taking GC-MS to the next level

SUNNYVALE, Calif.—Updated with new capabilities in high resolution accurate mass (HRAM) GC-MS, the Thermo Scientific Orbitrap chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) systems reportedly now give users across metabolomics, pharma, toxicology, environmental and food safety applications high levels of accuracy in their data.

Building on the existing reputation and success of the Thermo Scientific Q Exactive GC Orbitrap and the Exactive GC Orbitrap, enhancements include the addition of variable electron voltage technology, the Orbitrap GC-MS HRAM Metabolomics Library and the TraceFinder Automated Compound Identification. These new capabilities are designed to provide highly sensitive, selective and accurate compound identification of complex samples for both research and routine laboratories performing GC-MS.

“The power of the multi-award winning Orbitrap GC-MS technology has facilitated numerous scientific advances and enabled our customers to break new ground and gain a deeper understanding of samples through the use of HRAM technology,” said Fausto Pigozzo, director of marketing for GC GC-MS at Thermo Fisher. “Our R&D teams are dedicated to advancing this technology, and with these newest capabilities offer systems that continue to provide customers with information rich analysis.”

First effective reagent for autofluorescence quenching

BURLINGAME, Calif.—November saw Vector Laboratories, a developer and manufacturer of labeling and detection reagents for biomedical research, introduce the TrueVIEW Autofluorescence Quenching Kit, offering what it says is the first effective technique for removing unwanted fluorescence in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue samples, blood cells and structural elements such as collagen and elastin. Autofluorescence often impairs or prevents the use of immunofluorescence assays when the specific stained antigen cannot be distinguished from the interfering background signal. This is particularly problematic with tissue samples preserved using the FFPE method.

TrueVIEW specifically targets background autofluorescence, and retains the intended specific fluorescent staining. TrueVIEW is effective across the spectral range from blue to far red and is compatible with commonly used fluorophores. This new quenching reagent enables researchers to identify specific markers that cannot be seen without removing the background noise of autofluorescence.

Health Canada approves RUBY Elution System

MONTREAL—In October, Jubilant DraxImage Inc. announced it had received approval from Health Canada for its state-of-the-art RUBY Elution System (RbES) and the proprietary RUBY consumable accessories for use with the already approved RUBY-FILL Rubidium-82 Generator for positron emission tomography of the myocardium.

RUBY-FILL is a closed system used to produce a personalized patient dose of rubidium (Rb-82) chloride injection for intravenous use. Rubidium (Rb-82) chloride injection is a radioactive diagnostic agent indicated for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the myocardium under rest or pharmacologic stress conditions to evaluate regional myocardial perfusion in adult patients with suspected or existing coronary artery disease.

“This approval is another demonstration of DraxImage’s commitment to the sustainability of nuclear medicine. Our goal is to grow SPECT and PET imaging globally as part of our company’s continued mission to bring value to products that enable physicians to deliver high-quality diagnostic studies,” commented Mike Rossi, Jubilant DraxImage’s president.