Analysis, laboratory technology and biotechnology are key components in the range of exhibition sectors and themes at Analytica 2008, being held at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre from 1-4 April 2008
Analytica 2008 has a special platform for showcasing their innovative potential.
The InnovationsArea will allow some 40 companies and research organisations to present trend-setting exhibits that clearly document the rapid pace of progress in this industry.
The Technology and Innovations Forum features free lectures for trade visitors on each day of the fair.
Gas sensors for breathing tests, processes for detecting weapons and explosives, and systems for characterising pathogens and spoilage organisms in food samples - the InnovationsArea at Analytica 2008 will give visitors a look at the entire range of analysis and biotechnology processes.
It will feature 2500m2 of exhibition space and feature detailed information about the latest industry developments.
Phase modulation and ion mobility.
Based on their current research projects, several universities in the InnovationsArea are demonstrating that, besides being dedicated to research and academia, their involvement in the transfer of technology and patent exploitation make them indispensable as innovation partners to the commercial sector.
For example, the Institute for Chemistry at Potsdam University is presenting a laser-based oxygen microsensor that uses a newly developed two-phase modulation technology and can be used to reliably determine oxygen content in real time, even in strongly fluorescent green plant tissue.
The second exhibit from Potsdam is an improved technique for detecting weapon and explosive materials and industrial chemicals: it is an ion-mobility (IM) spectrometry solution that uses a laser as an ionisation source instead of radioactive substances.
Compared to conventional IM spectrometry, the laser-based version is more selective, more sensitive and covers a larger dynamic range, and it can even deal with substance mixtures.
Trend toward microfluidics and biosensors.
Microanalysis and biosensors play an important role in university research projects.
TU Bergakademie Freiberg, for example, will present a new microcalorimeter for biochemical screening.
Based on a silicon chip, the device quickly and automatically measures biological and biochemical activity in microsamples.
It was developed for use in enzyme screening, online monitoring of biotechnology processes or to study the metabolisms of microorganisms.
The MacroNano Research Group at TU Ilmenau uses its microfluidics and biosensor systems to industrial operations that conduct pharmaceuticals research.
Among other things, research work includes development of miniature bioreactors for 3D cell cultures and the development of assays and assay series for cell cultures.
The scientists integrate biosensors and fluid measuring systems into miniature bioreactors for use in biomedical research.
The research organizations exhibiting in the InnovationsArea also include several Fraunhofer Society institutes.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA) will have a microfluidics construction kit on display at the fair that can be used to quickly and flexibly realize a wide variety of microfluidic processes.
These construction kits are supposed to contribute to the rapid development of specific single-use microfluidic chips which, among other things, can be used in POC analysis.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB) specialises in three-dimensional organoid test systems for analysing chemicals and cosmetics.
These in-vitro models are also suitable for Reach (registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals) analyses and eliminate the need for testing on animals.
Aptamers as an alternative to antibodies.
The Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (IBA) has come up with a system that combines a microfluidic chip with magnetic separation that could someday be used to rapidly detect pathogens and spoilage organisms in food samples.
Peptides or aptamers, which are now considered an interesting alternative to antibodies, are used to selectively bind target cells.
The advantages of the new aptamer-based technique are the focus of Aptares' exhibit at analytica.
The winner of the 2003 Start-up Award from the Luckenwalde Biotechnology Park in Brandenburg, Aptare produces these highly affine aptamers, develops innovative aptamer-based processes and sells the necessary consumables.
The advantages of aptamers compared to antibodies include high thermal stability, proteinase resistance and their small size.
Founded in 2002 and nominated for the Hamburg Founder's Award, PAS-Tech specialises in the development of low-cost, compact gas sensors that work with infrared laser light, which it converts into sound waves for analysis purposes.
Gas sensors are used to measure emissions and processes.
Due to their selectivity and sensitivity, they can also be used for medical applications such as breathing tests.
Scienova Lab-Instruments is also celebrating a premiere at Analytica 2008: the new spin-off of Friedrich Schiller Universitat Jena will present the first products based on its proteomic research in the InnovationsArea.
They include consumables for the dialysis, cleansing and enzymatic conversion of peptides and proteins, which should simplify the parallelization of analyses and experiments.
Important innovative field: food and environmental analysis.
Global warming and the EU's new Health Claim Regulation are presenting environmental and food analysis with new challenges.
Several exhibitors will have appropriate solutions on display in the InnovationsArea.
For example, the Institute for Food and Bioprocessing Engineering at TU Dresden has developed a biosensor system based on fluorescence metrology for determining the amount of fat in foods that is said to be an interesting alternative to conventional chemical techniques.
The Greek company I2E will present a colorimeter test kit that can be used to reliably detect carcinogen bromates in drinking water, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration (IZM) will present a new type of fibre optode to measure the composition of meat.
Image analysis over the web.
State-of-the-art communications and information technologies will also be represented at the InnovationsArea.
S.CO Lifescience will present S.Core, a web-based system for automatic image analysis of assays.
Once analysis is complete, the results are posted on the customer's Internet portal, where they can be downloaded.
The Institute for Scientific Computing at the Karlsruhe Research Center has developed ChemA, a chemicals management and information system that makes it easier to maintain hazardous-substance directories in chemical enterprises, as prescribed by law.
The web-based tool uses all available digital data to document the chemicals' materials flow - from ordering, delivery and internal distribution to consumption and, finally, disposal.
In keeping with the principle of 'as little as possible - as much as necessary', the software is limited to the prescribed material-related information of hazardous materials used in the company, which are stored in a database and displayed in keeping with the user's access rights.
Bioregion presentations.
Several bioregions will also be making presentations in the InnovationsArea.
Life Science Austria (Lisa), which is making its first appearance at Analytica, will make a presentation about collaboration, relocation and promoting projects and business ties in Austria together with Tiroler Zukunftsstiftung and Life Science Austria Vienna Region.
After Vienna, Tyrol is the second-largest life-science region in Austria.
Luckenwalde Biotechnology Park in Brandenburg will also be on hand with information about its infrastructure including fully equipped laboratories, ISO and GMP-certified equipment and services and excellent business-development programs.
At present, 38 companies in the sectors for white and red biotechnology and fine chemistry are located at the park.
Lectures and discussions at the Technology and Innovations Forum.
The InnovationsArea will be rounded out by an extensive and exciting program of related events at the Technology and Innovations Forum in Hall A3.
New companies will present their latest marketable ideas, and each day will feature lectures and discussions on topics such as food analysis, point-of-care diagnostics/metabolomics/lab on a chip, biotechnology, micro/nano-technology/materials research as well as instrumental analysis and applications.
One of the highlights of the forum programme will be a panel discussion hosted by the Life Science Research working group about faster and more sensitive molecular-biology techniques in food analysis.
