Genevac launches EZ-Bio
molecular biology market. The technology marks a significant
departure for the company as its products have been focussed on
drug discovery chemistry until now.
Solvent removal tasks in biological research commonly involve ethanol, methanol, water and acetonitrile. The EZ-BIO system uses its established EZ-2 solvent removal platform in a product optimised for biologists. The system provides an evaporator primarily aimed at academic researchers and in particular molecular biologists.
The EZ-BIO provides pre-programmed methods for evaporation of HPLC fractions and DNA samples as well as Genevac's Dri-Pure anti-bumping control. Sample holders are available for Eppendorf tubes, HPLC vials and microtitre plates.
Steve Knight, marketing manager at Genevac, told DrugResearcher.com: "The EZ Bio was designed following extensive research earlier this year in to the needs of this market segment, which Genevac believes to be still growing steadily."
"Researchers were frustrated by the limitations of older smaller concentrators. In a rapid project the existing EZ-2 system was chosen as the starting platform and has been modified to produce the EZ-Bio, allowing the new product to reach the market in a matter of months."
The relatively low cost of ownership gives the EZ Bio an advantage to similar systems. Its infrared heater lamp, built in condenser and vacuum pump gives improved performance with water-based samples and most lower boiling point solvents.
"Unique to this class, the EZ-Bio packs this technology in one compact instrument. There are no vacuum hoses or power leads trailing between components; the smart design houses all the major system units in one housing which will easily fit inside a standard laboratory fume hood," he added.
Construction is in corrosion resistant materials such as glass, PTFE and 316 Stainless Steel throughout, so the EZ Bio can accept most commonly used solvents in Life Science research.
Other vacuum evaporators currently on the market include the Polaron E6500 Mini High Vacuum Evaporator from Quorum Technologies and the JEE-420 vacuum evaporator from JEOL.
Initially the system will be offered in the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland. Genevac intends to extend availability as demand grows. The system is priced at £14 000 (€20 000) and is available now. Special terms for Universities and academic institutions are also available.
