MDS Analytical Technologies Announces Availability of New High-Throughput Method to Detect Melamine in Food
30 Octobre 2008 - 1:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Abraxis Melamine Detection Kit validated for use on MDS Analytical
Technologies SpectraMax(R) microplate readers with SoftMax(R) Pro
analytical software SUNNYVALE, CA and WARMINSTER, PA, Oct. 30
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MDS Analytical Technologies, a leader in
innovative solutions for drug discovery and life-sciences research,
today announced that the Abraxis Melamine Detection Kit has 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 solution from MDS Analytical Technologies
offers a cost-effective, high-throughput, quality-assurance
solution to detect melamine contamination in such food products as
milk, infant formula, pet food, and confectionery. Melamine, an
organic industrial polymer, has recently been found in various
foods and, if undetected, may cause serious illness or death. This
enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) solution will enable
quality-assurance technicians in food-safety laboratories to easily
detect the presence of melamine down to 10 parts per billion (ppb).
"Recent stories of melamine-related illnesses and deaths have made
melamine contamination a serious concern," said Andy Boorn,
President of MDS Analytical Technologies. "The pre-programmed
melamine protocol in SoftMax Pro 5 GxP software, combined with
our microplate readers, enables us to offer a more-complete
high-throughput solution to better address what has become an
increasingly important consumer safety issue." This solution
further enables MDS Analytical Technologies to expand its offering
in applied markets. MDS Analytical Technologies also offers a mass
spectrometry-based solution for food safety testing introduced
earlier this year through its joint venture partnership with
Applied Biosystems. "The teams at both companies are excited to
offer a cost-effective, highly sensitive quality-control solution
for the detection of melamine," said Fernando M. Rubio, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Abraxis LLC. "Our collaboration with
MDS Analytical Technologies has provided the food industry
throughout the world with an easy and affordable method to ensure
foods have not been contaminated by melamine." 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 or customers can
call our Customer Service department at +1 (408) 747-1700 to speak
to a sales representative. About SpectraMax(R) Absorbance
Microplate Readers Molecular Devices, now part of MDS Analytical
Technologies, is a leading supplier of microplate reader systems to
academic, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology research groups
worldwide. The Company offers several multi-mode detection systems
for ELISAs, including SpectraMax(R) M5e and SpectraMax(R) M2e
microplate readers, and 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 path-length 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
Abraxis LLC Abraxis LLC is a biotechnology company dedicated to the
discovery, development and delivery of core technologies that offer
customers more effective, real time testing solutions for a safer
environment and food supply. The company's portfolio includes
diagnostic tests for endocrine disrupting chemicals, antibiotics,
pesticides, industrial chemicals, toxic organics, surfactants,
marine biotoxins, cyanotoxins, mycotoxins, and veterinary residues.
For more information about the company and its products, please
visit http://www.abraxiskits.com/. 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, Applied Biosystems,
Inc. and PerkinElmer, Inc. Find out more at
http://www.moleculardevices.com/ or http://www.mdssciex.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 5,500 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 Analytical Technologies CONTACT:
Media: Cheri Salazar, MDS Analytical Technologies, (408) 548-6316,
; Investors: Kim Lee, MDS Inc., (416) 213-4721,
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