Applied Biosystems (ABI) and MDS Sciex introduced the MIDAS TRAQ Systems, two new mass spectrometry-based systems for biomarker verification and validation. The MIDAS TRAQ Systems integrate the quantitative and qualitative capabilities of 4000 Q TRAP and 3200 Q TRAP LC/MS/MS Systems with the new ABI/MDS Sciex Tempo nano MDLC System (a high-performance, liquid chromatography system for proteomic applications).
The systems use an ABI-developed workflow called MIDAS (MRM-initiated detection and sequencing) to give researchers a way to go from genomic or proteomic biomarker profiling and discovery experiments directly to assays for biomarker verification and validation. ABI says the MIDAS workflow overcomes the need to develop separate methods, such as the synthesis of a labeled peptide standard, for each potential biomarker. Instead, the MIDAS workflow performs in silico assay designs that help to identify the best peptides for a sequence-defined target before any synthetic peptides are required.
Incogen announced the Visual Integrated Bioinformatics Environment (VIBE) version 3.3, a new release of its client-server analysis workflow management software. The 3.3 release includes a number of enhancements aimed at making the software easier to use and easier to integrate with other applications into a workflow environment. For example, on the ease-of-use front, VIBE 3.3 servers have the ability to announce their presence on a network. This allows VIBE clients to automatically discover the servers.
The new release also provides a way to more easily incorporate custom-built or third-party applications and tools into a workflow. Specifically, Incogen has added a “New Module Wizard” to its VIBE Software Development Kit (SDK). The wizard walks a researcher through the steps needed to build a module that can be plugged into the VIBE environment.
Biomatters released Geneious 0.9, a beta version of its software package that rapidly searches and filters sequence data and scientific publications. The software includes a local database to store sequence data (including user-defined metadata), abstracts, bibliographic information, and direct links to Google Scholar. A researcher using the software can perform rapid similarity searches within the local database. Geneious can filter information and refine searches on the fly as new data is downloaded into the local database. The software provides a graphical viewer of sequence annotations such as genes, motifs, and primer positions, and provides direct access to the NCBI and Uniprot databases. The Geneious software can be downloaded for free from here. Biomatters plans to release Geneious version 1.0 in early 2006.
Waters announced the shipment of Waters MassLynx 4.1 Software, a new release of mass spectrometer software. The 4.1 release includes a new administrator toolkit that lets an administrator manage resources from a remote PC. Additionally, the toolkit includes software to monitor sample information and instrument status. Other new features or enhancements in MassLynx 4.1 include a security architecture that allows multiple users to have access to data and results; features that automate instrument setup; and tighter integration with Waters NuGenesis SDMS (Scientific Data Management System) 7.0 Software.
Elsevier MDL announced the availability of its MDL Notebook, an electronic lab notebook (ELN) announced earlier this year. The MDL Notebook is part of the company’s ELN initiative that builds on its expertise in chemical reaction databases and in building workflows. Specifically, the notebook gives researchers tools to design, document, and capture data from experiments involving single- and multi-step chemical reactions. Elsevier MDL claims the MDL Notebook can also be used to integrate information throughout an R&D organization. To that end, the MDL Notebook includes enterprise features such as user-authentication and audit functions, and it can interconnected to a corporate LIMS.
MiraiBio, a division of Hitachi Software Engineering America, released MasterPlex QT v2.5, software that offers advanced statistical analysis of multiplexed data generated on Luminex 200 liquid array detection systems. New in this release of the MasterPlex QT software is support for gene expression analysis of data produced using commercial assays.
(Note: Product introductions are slowing down as the holidays approach; the next online roundup will appear the week of January 9, 2006.)
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