Treats both the hardware and software aspects of the subject, and includes a disk containing all programs listed in the text. No bibliography. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Laboratory automation is an increasingly important part of the job description of many laboratory scientists. Although many laboratory scientists understand the methods and principles involved in automation, most lack the necessary engineering and programming skills needed to successfully automate or interface equipment in the lab. A step-by-step, how-to reference and guide, Practical Pharmaceutical Laboratory Automation explores the processes needed to automate the majority of tasks required in research today. The author discusses topics ranging from automated mathematical analysis to robotic automation of chemical processes, to combinations of these and other processes. He presents a detailed discussion of high throughput screening and assay development and takes an in-depth look at Visual Basic as the primary programming language used in laboratories. The text has a dedicated web site (http://www.pharmalabauto.com) that contains all the sample code and examples contained within the text as well as other information related to laboratory automation. Providing a starting point for tackling automation problems, Practical Pharmaceutical Laboratory Automation helps you develop a strategy for automation that gets consistent results.
Rapid progress in molecular biology, genetic engineering, and basic research in immunology has opened up new possibilities for application to diagnostic procedures and to clinical research. In a short period a new era of diagnosis dawned, covering nearly all fields of microbiology, immunology, and food technology. In consequence of this rapid development, scientists of many disciplines are involved studying infections of humans, animals, and plants or working in technical microbiology. The application of the newest findings of basic research to diagnostic work and to clinical research covers nearly all fields of microbiology and immunology. Moreover, it underlines the close relationship between diagnosis, therapy, and epidemiology. An outstanding example of these connections is given by the recent development of hepatitis B vaccine. The discovery and identification of a non cultivable agent by physicochemical and immunological methods were the heralds of a new era in the prevention of infectious diseases. This book provides an up-to-date, comprehensive review of developments and future aspects in various fields. I am convinced that the authors have succeeded in furnishing a large variety of new ideas and possibilities. K.-O. HABERMEHL Contents Time Realities in the Evaluation of Vaccines for Safety and Efficacy The Evaluation of Vaccines M. R. HILLEMAN . . . . .
This book comprises a large selection of papers presented at the second European Scientific Computing and Automation meeting (SCA 90 (Europe)) which was held in June 1990 in Maastricht, The Netherlands. The increasing use of computers for making measurements, interpreting data, and filing results brings a new unity to science. SCA concentrates on common computer-based tools which are useful in several disciplines. Practical problems in laboratory automation, robotics and information management with LIMS are covered in depth. The process of designing and acquiring a LIMS is described and standards for data transfer between instruments, between LIMS and instruments and between different LIMS are discussed. The applications of statistics and expert systems are covered in several chapters. Strategies for drug design are discussed with various practical examples. Finally the display of scientific results as images and computer-based animations is demonstrated by several examples with their color illustrations. The book should be of interest to those managing R&D projects, doing research in laboratories, acquiring or planning LIMS, designing instruments and laboratory automation systems and those involved in data analysis of scientific results.
The chapters of this book describe numerous successful examples of automation in microbiology, e.g., radiometric detection of bacteremia, instruments for detection of bacteriuria, machines for organism identification and susceptibility testing, and automated antigen and antibody measurement systems. In addition, there are discussions of exciting but not yet proven methodologies such as chromatography, flow cytometry, and other applications of radiometry. There are also important discussions regarding improved means of data communication and ways to improve the clinicianâs use of test results. Lastly, there are candid assessments of the best and worst aspects of the current spectrum of automated instruments for microbiology. It is hoped that the reader of this volume will be left with a feeling of excitement at the possibilities that lie ahead for application of instrument techniques in the diagnosis of infectious diseases.