© 1999 Macmillan Magazines Ltd

new on the market

900 NATURE | VOL 400 | 26 AUGUST 1999 | www.nature.com

BioDryerFrom Biospec www.biospec.com

Dries quicker than a conventional oven

The BioDryer is a compact, forced-air dryerdesigned to quick-dry small biological sam-ples in centrifuge tubes, titre plates, micro-scope slides and other containers. Heatedair, circulated at by an internal fan, continu-ously vents moisture or solvent-laden airinside the drying chamber out the top cover.Temperature is tightly regulated from 20 to70°C. The clear, double-walled dryingchamber is 31 cm in diameter andadjustable in height from 2.5 to 13 cm.Reader Service No. 103

Glutathione resinsFrom Clontech www.clontech.com

Resins for purifying GST-tagged proteins

New from Clontech, Glutathione-SuperflowResin and Glutathione-Uniflow Resin areintended for rapid and efficient purificationof glutathione S-transferase (GST) taggedproteins. Both contain covalently bound glutathione, to which GST binds with highaffinity and specificity. Their flow propertiesand mechanical stability make them suitablefor use in medium-pressure (GlutathioneSuperflow) or low-pressure (Glutathione-Uniflow) chromatography.Reader Service No. 104

PepSy From Zinsser Analytic www.zinsser-analytic.com

A flexible approach to peptide synthesis

This new peptide synthesizer system isdesigned for parallel synthesis of 32 or 96peptides with reaction volumes of 1.8 ml (96peptides) and 3.5 ml (32 peptides). Thereaction is supported by software controlledvortexing of the reactor block. It is equippedwith four probes for distribution of reagents

and solvents, reliable filtration from the topand fast washing of resins. The system oper-ates under Windows NT. Reader Service No. 105

EZ-Link posterFrom Pierce Chemical www.piercenet.com

Select the appropriate biotinylation reagent

This free poster from Pierce displays thereactive chemistries and linkages created bythe company’s EZ-Link biotinylationreagents. Reagents featured include a newone, EZ-Link TFP-PEOBiotin, an amine-reactive reagent with a long (32.6 Å)hydrophilic spacer arm. The tetrafluoro-phenyl ester (TFP) reacts with primary andsecondary amines in aqueous buffers frompH 7 to 9. The polyethylene oxide spacer(PEO) arm makes this compound morewater-soluble than PFP-Biotin. For a freeposter call 800-874-3723 (US). Elsewhere,call the local distributor or use e-commerce.Reader Service No. 106

Proteasome inhibitorFrom Affiniti Research www.affiniti-res.com

A peptidyl boronic acid inhibitor forproteasome system research

Specific inhibitors of proteasome activityare vital to work on its function. Z-Leu-Leu-Leu-H (also known as MG-132) is aleupeptin analogue which inhibits proteaso-mal chymotrypsin-like activity It alsoinduces apoptosis in MOLT-4 and L5178Ycells via a p53-dependent pathway andenhances CPP32-like activity in TNF-treated U937 cells.Reader Service No. 107

IsoquantFrom Promega www.promega.com

Rapid measurement protein deamidation

Now available from Promega is a nonradio-active protocol for the Isoquant Protein

BiocoolerFrom Biosmith www.biosmith.com

Improved bench-top cooler

Biocooler is a bench-top cooler designed tokeep enzymes and other reagents safe, butwithin easy reach of the workbench. Anerasable note panel inside the cover simpli-fies identification of tube locations. The latest version of Biocooler will maintain115 °C or below for up to 4 hours. Eachunit accommodates 48 1.5–2.0 ml tubes.Exterior dimensions are: 22 cm wide 2 20cm deep 2 9 cm high, and weight 1.5 kg.Reader Service No. 100

HIV-TatFrom Actigen www.actigen.com

Proteins and peptides for HIV research

New to the Actigen range are synthetic HIV-Tat protein and peptide fragments. Theyare supplied in lyophilised form, quicklysolubilized in aqueous buffer. The rangeincludes various peptide fragments from theTat region as well as an anti-Tat antibodyand biotinylated protein. The peptides aretested for functionality and activity byELISA, western blot, activation of transcrip-tion, growth modulation, binding studiesand tyrosine phosphorylation activation.Reader Service No. 101

Amyloid A assayFrom bioGnosis

Versatile amyloid A assays

The bioGnosis range of acute phase proteinassays now includes the Tridelta PhaseSerum Amyloid A (SAA) assay. This multi-species ELISA can be performed on samplesfrom a wide range of species. The SAA Assaycomes in two formats, TP-802 for analysis ofsamples from species including porcine,bovine, canine, feline, equine and human.TP-802M is for murine samples.Reader Service No. 102

Doing things to proteins and peptidesProteins and peptides link the following offerings. A cocktail of inhibitors aids protein isolation, and a specific inhibitor ofproteasome activity makes the organelle more conducive to functional studies.

Cool it: bench-top coldness from Biosmith. Blow it: BioDryer, dries tubes or plates.

Synthesize it: use the real thing, PepSy.

© 1999 Macmillan Magazines Ltd

new on the market

NATURE | VOL 400 | 26 AUGUST 1999 | www.nature.com 901

rapid screening of novel protein tyrosinekinase inhibitors. The Pan Vera ProteinTyrosine Kinase Assay is a non-radioactive,homogeneous assay for use with single tubesusing the Beacon 2000 FP instrument orwith 96- or 384-well plates using commer-cially available HTS instrumentation. Reader Service No. 110

Xplore mRNAFrom Endogen Inc. www.endogen.com

A rapid yet sensitive mRNA assay.

Endogen’s Xplore mRNA QuantificationSystems require 500 ng of less of total RNAand permit detection of as little as 1 atto-mole of the molecule of interest. This isequivalent to 1–5 copies of mRNA per cell in500,000 cells. The assay utilizes a pair ofprobes that bind to a splice junction on thespecific mRNA targeted. The probe/RNAcomplex is recognized by a novel repairendonuclease, Cleavase Vll enzyme, whichcatalyses a rapid, isothermal, signal amplifi-cation reaction. The reaction product is cap-tured on a streptavidin-coated plate via abiotin-labelled oligonucleotide. Assays forhuman IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γand TNF-α, together with separate β-actinand GAPDH control assays are available.Reader Service No. 111

Affinity 98From Molecular Simulations www.msi.com

Automatic docking of ligands to proteinreceptors

The latest release of Affinity, MSI’s auto-mated flexible docking software, allows thereceptor binding site to relax during dock-ing, then automatically finds the best bind-ing modes of the ligand to the receptor. Thisimproved method incorporates a SimulatedAnnealing protocol for refinement of thebound ligand and the ability to include orremove water molecules and specific hydro-gen bonding patterns during docking.Affinity is especially useful in structure-based drug design where the experimentallydetermined structure of a protein-ligandcomplex is often unavailable.Reader Service No. 112

Deamidation Detection Kit. With fewer stepsthan the radioactive assay, this protocol usingreverse-phase HPLC, reduces test time to lessthan an hour and eliminates costs and haz-ards associated with radioactive materials.The kit provides a tool to track the formationof isoaspartic acid residues in proteins bymeasuring the amount of methyl donor usedin an enzymatic methylation reaction.Reader Service No. 108

L-8800 analyserFrom Hitachi www.hsi-europe.com

High-speed amino acid analysis

Supplied complete with a PC for control anddata analysis, the L-8800 amino acidanalyser offers high speed operation at pico-mole detection levels. The L-8800 is builtaround a newly designed reaction column,featuring a special 3-mm ion-exchange resin.This column can be repacked and regener-ated and so does not have to be replacedcompletely. The new column offers signifi-cant time-savings over conventional HPLCmethods. Analysis of protein hydrolysatecan take as little as 20 min compared to 50min by HPLC and analysis of physiologicalfluid can take as little as 70 min compared to135 min by HPLC.Reader Service No. 109

Tyrosine kinase assayFrom PanVera Corporation www.panvera.com

Available in 100- and 1,000-assay packs

This novel in vitro assay was developed forthe detection of tyrosine kinase activity and

Mini-Protean 3From Bio-Rad www.bio-rad.com

Simplify the handling and running of precastand handcast gels

Bio-Rad’s new mini vertical electrophoresissystem can be put together in only 30 sec-onds. Evolved from the Mini-Protean II, theMini-Protean 3 eliminates the time-con-suming assembly procedures often associ-ated with electrophoresis applications. Thenew hand casting module features a simplelock mechanism. The new combs are madeof plastic, are easier to handle and arelabelled with thickness and number of wells.To ensure more reproducible well forma-tion, ridges on the combs completely seal offthe acrylamide in the gel sandwich to elimi-nate air and aid polymerization.Reader Service No. 113

Inhibitory cocktailsFrom Sigma www.sigma.sial.com

Four new inhibitor cocktails for proteinisolation studies

These phosphatase cocktails from Sigmacontain inhibitors of tyrosine protein phos-phatases, acid and alkaline phosphatases,serine/threonine phosphastases and L-isoenzymes of alkaline phosphatase. Theinhibitory action of these cocktails has beentested against phosphatase activities foundin human placenta, bovine liver, rabbit mus-cle, A431 or Jurkat cell extracts. Of the twospecial protease inhibitor cocktails, one is

ADVERTISEMENT

READER ENQUIRY NO. 21

Detect it: Isoquant keeps track of deamidation.

Miniaturize it: Bio-Rad shrinks electrophoresis.

© 1999 Macmillan Magazines Ltd

new on the market

902 NATURE | VOL 400 | 26 AUGUST 1999 | www.nature.com

formulated for studies of plant cell extractsand the other for reaction with poly-histi-dine tagged proteins found in cell extracts ofE. coli and baculovirus infected cells.Reader Service No. 114

IonClear BigBeadFrom Sterogene www.sterogene.com

Get ready for ion-exchange chromatography

IonClear BigBead reduces the ionic strengthof protein solutions in preparation for ion-exchange chromatography. It allows for thedirect capture of antibodies and proteinsfrom fermentation and cell culture harvestwithout the need for a 3–5 fold dilution.The idea is to replace diafiltration with amore gentle ion adsorption process.Recoveries and biological activities are typi-cally above 99%. IonClear typically worksin 5–10 minutes, reducing processing times

relative to diafiltration by a factor of 10–100fold.Reader Service No. 115

Fluo-peptidesFrom NEN www.nenlifesci.com

Fluorescent peptides in receptor bindingassays

A new brochure from NEN Life ScienceProducts describes Fluo-peptides, biologi-cally active fluorescent peptides for use incharacterization of G protein-coupledreceptors (GPCRs). The brochure describestheir use in cellular imaging, flow cytome-try/ FACS, and fluorescence polarizationreceptor binding assay applications.Developed and manufactured by AdvancedBioconcept, Fluo-peptides are a line ofpeptides conjugated with fluorophores in away that maintains their biological activity. Reader Service No. 116

DynabeadsFrom Dynal www.dynal.no

Affinity purification of immunoglobulins andimmunoprecipitation of proteins

Dynabeads Protein A combine magneticseparation with Protein A’s high affinity forimmunoglobulins, to produce a convenienttool for small-scale affinity purification ofimmunoglobulins and immunoprecipita-tion of proteins. Target Ig in a sample is cap-tured by Protein A on the surface ofDynabeads and separated from the remain-ing sample solution by the magnet. Pure Igcan be eluted off the beads or the beads canbe added directly to a target protein con-taining sample for immunoprecipitation.Reader Service No. 117

These notes are compiled in the Nature officefrom information provided by the manufacturers.For more details, fill in the reader service card.

NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITYMOLECULAR BIOLOGY UNIT

PROTEIN SEQUENCINGMembrane-bound, solid or solution samples

£12 per cycle5 cycles minimum - no set up charge

For more information please contact Dr. Joe Gray:Phone/Fax: +44 191 222 8612Email: JOE.GRAY@newcastle.ac.uk

DNA sequencing (ABI 377-96KL, 877 Catalyst)also available at competitive prices

ADVERTISEMENTS

READER ENQUIRY NO. 2

READER ENQUIRY NO. 17

READER ENQUIRY NO. 4

READER ENQUIRY NO. 54 READER ENQUIRY NO. 98

Pefachrome®-Series: chromogenicand flurogenic substrates

Pefabloc®-Series: serine proteinase inhibitors

Purified snake venom proteins(e.g. Protac®, Ecarin, Batroxobin)

Diagnostic Reagents

PENTAPHARM LTDCH 4002 Basel Fax: +41 61 319 96 19

http://www.pentapharm.ch

READER ENQUIRY NO. 16