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Analysis, laboratory technology and biotechnology are key components in the range of exhibition sectors and themes at analytica 2008. Here we take a look at some of the new technology that will be on show

BILLED as the world's leading trade fair for this sector, analytica will open its gates at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre for the 21st time from April 1 – 4, 2008. As a international exhibition for instrumental analysis, laboratory technology and biotechnology, it showcases the entire range of equipment, solutions and services for laboratories in the industrial and research sectors. Whether it comes to equipment, systems, solutions or services, some 950 exhibitors from around the world will present their laboratory expertise in five halls at analytica 2008.

The show has a special platform for showcasing 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 & 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 an exciting look at the entire range of analysis and biotechnology processes. It will feature 2,500 square meters of exhibition space and feature detailed information about the latest industry developments.

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.

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 is aiming 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 organisations 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 realise 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 analyzing 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.

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 GmbH 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-Universität 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 parallelisation of analyses and experiments.

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 fiber optode to measure the composition of meat.

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.

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.

The InnovationsArea will be rounded out by an extensive and exciting program of related events at the Technology & 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/metabolo¬mics/lab on a chip, biotechnology, micro/nano-technology/materials research as well as instrumental analysis and applications. One of the highlights of the forum program will be a panel discussion hosted by the Life Science Research Working Group about faster and more sensitive molecular-biology techniques in food analysis.

The food industry is a key application sector for analysis solutions and techniques. New EU guidelines such as the Health Claim Regulation and growing demands for traceability among consumers are promoting the use of new analysis methods and efficient laboratory technology in the food industry.

When it comes to application sectors, food analysis will be a key topic at analytica 2008. Several international exhibitors will present new developments as well as tried-and-tested solutions for food analysis.

Jeol GmbH, which is based in Munich, Germany (Hall A2, Stand 530), is introducing a new technique that can be used to detect foreign substances in food very quickly. It uses a mass spectrometer with a D.A.R.T. (Direct Analysis in Real Time) interface. According to the manufacturer, it offers some convincing advantages: the significance of the D.A.R.T. mass spectral technique is that results are available in minutes or seconds. The sample produced an accurate mass signal that is specific to the chemical. The D.A.R.T. device, when connected to the mass spectrometer machine, allows food substances to be analysed without the need for sample preparation. The process takes only a few minutes – compared to traditional methods such as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques, which take hours or even longer. The new method saves time and money when testing food, drugs and other processes.

LLA Instruments GmbH in Berlin (Hall A2, Stand 471) will demonstrate how several products made from whey and low-fat milk that contain fruit, sugar and aroma additives can now be analysed to determine their components with a great deal of accuracy. In the future, a high-performance NIR (near infrared range) diffraction spectrometer will make it possible to analyse wellness drinks, energy drinks and health foods more quickly and accurately than with conventional MIR-FT spectrometers.

UK company Sentek Ltd offers a P14/RF/LF electrode that was designed specifically to measure the pH of jam and fruit preserves. The thing that distinguishes this solution is that it is filled with a liquid and equipped with an exchangeable fluid junction. The electrode is refilled using a corresponding attachment and is totally serviceable.

The Institute for Bioprocess and Analysis Metrology has developed a system that combines a microfluid chip with magnetic separation, which will make it possible to rapidly detect pathogens and spoilage organisms in the future. Peptides or aptamers, which are now an interesting alternative to antibodies, are used to selectively bind the target cells. The Institute for Food Technology and Bioprocess 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 fiber optode to measure the composition of meat.

The analytica conference, a first-rate scientific event that accompanies analytica and is held on the first three days of the fair, will have a separate panel dedicated to the topic of food analysis:. The headline on Thursday, April 3, 2008 will be "Faster, more sensitive, more accurate – A slogan for the food-analysis sector during the year of the Olympics?" Six renowned experts and scientists from Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and the Czech Republic will discuss the latest challenges facing the food-analysis sector in an age plagued by food scandals and the EU's new Health Claim Regulation. Imre Blank from the Nestle Product Technology Centre in Switzerland will present information about analysis techniques currently being used to determine the concentration of furan in preserved foods and draw conclusions about how that substance is produced during the manufacturing process. The next presentation deals with verifying the authenticity of foods by measuring stable isotope ratios. Analysing stable isotopes makes it possible to draw conclusions about the geographic origin of the food as well as its composition, so it takes into account stricter consumer-protection requirements regarding the traceability of food. Dr. Jörg Stroka from the European Commission's Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) will discuss micotoxin analysis in the EU. He will present the strategies and methods commonly used in the EU to guarantee adherence to threshold values using efficient and reliable analysis. Dr. Klaus Reif from Pytholab GmbH will hold a lecture on analysis techniques that are used to detect furanocoumarins in plant-based foods and drugs. His presentation will examine the results of mass-spectroscopic characterisation and the analysis results of various plant samples.

The range of exhibits at analytica covers the entire value-added chain that pertains to laboratories, from research and development, materials testing and quality insurance to laboratory diagnostics. Besides classic exhibition sectors such as laboratory equipment, state-of-the-art analysis techniques, biotechnology and the life sciences, analytica also addresses solutions such as environmental and food analysis and medical diagnostics for the laboratory.
The analytica concept consists of three elements, i.e. the exhibition itself, the scientific congress and know-how and networking events. The concept has been expanded to include some new elements at analytica 2008. For example, the Biotech Hall (A3) will feature the new InnovationsArea, the program of information events was expanded from one to two lecture forums, and Finance Day is just one of the new events celebrating its premiere here.
The analytica Conference features a total of 27 symposia where scientists from around the world can discuss the latest trends in analysis, diagnostics, molecular biology and biochemistry. The conference revolves around practical application sectors for these new process techniques, covering everything from water and environmental analysis to aspects such as forensics, doping and food testing. Another focal point of the analytica Conference is biotechnology, the slogan of which is "From Gene to Life".

Interested visitors can register for analytica 2008 the quick and uncomplicated way, i.e. online at www.analytica.de/ticket – and save time and money in the process.