The Column - December 2007 - (Page 6)

News The Column www.thecolumn.eu.com December 2007 News From farm to fork Scientists at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain, have developed and validated an identity test that can be used to confirm the breed and origin of meat from farm animals. The test was developed in collaboration with Applied Biosystems and uses a number of specific genetic markers to identify individual animals. This study’s findings were published in the December 2007 issue of the scientific journal, Animal Genetics, volume 6, issue 38. Meat traceability is important for consumer safety, particularly in the event of an infectious disease outbreak or accidental feed contamination. European regulations relating to animal feed chains are becoming more stringent, with more emphasis being placed on the ability to demonstrate exactly where animals have been raised, slaughtered and sold for consumption. Professor Armand Sánchez and his colleagues from the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, together with scientists from Applied Biosystems, have developed a panel of 46 genetic markers that are all single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are single sites of variation in the animal’s DNA sequence. The 46 validated SNPs were chosen from a set of 120 to identify pigs from five different purebred lines that are of major commercial importance. These were investigated in each DNA sample taken from hundreds of pigs using the SNPlex Genotyping system and two 3730 DNA analysers from Applied Biosystems. The pattern of SNPs in each pig’s sample allowed the scientists to identify individual pigs and their parentage for each of the five breeds examined. Additionally, the tests could be used to identify genetic markers associated with particularly desirable traits in terms of meat quality and flavour, and could be adapted for identification and traceability in other animal species such as sheep, cows and poultry. This work was funded by a collaborative project with Hypor España GP. For more detailed information on this research or the SNPlex Genotyping system please visit Applied Biosystems’ website at www.appliedbiosystems.com Invited symposia announced for 2008 The Pittsburgh Conference has announced the invited symposia topics offered at Pittcon 2008, 2–7 March in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. In 2008, there will be 53 symposia featured in the technical programme covering the latest developments in the traditional and emerging disciplines of analytical chemistry and applied spectroscopy. In addition to the conventional areas of focus such as pharmaceutical science, bioanalytical chemistry and environmental chemistry the organization will be presenting several new symposia. These include sessions on artifact preservation using polymers, novel trends in microanalytical research, the role of atomic spectroscopy to fulfil expectations and needs of the laboratory in future years, basic and applied research in IR and Raman spectroscopy as well as analytical chemistry involved in environmental measurements associated with the Katrina and Rita hurricane disasters in and around the New Orleans area. For complete listings of all sessions in the technical programme at Pittcon 2008 please visit the organization’s website at www.pittcon.org Links: 6 www.appliedbiosystems.com www.pittcon.org http://www.thecolumn.eu.com http://www.appliedbiosystems.com http://www.pittcon.org http://www.appliedbiosystems.com http://www.pittcon.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Column - December 2007

The Column - December 2007
Contents
News
Zosimus
High Maintenance
Rapid Column Characterization using Complex Samples and Automated LC–MS Data Analysis
Trace Analysis of Perchlorate: Analytical Method and Removal Efficiency of Purification Technologies
Tips & Tricks: GPC/SEC

The Column - December 2007