Laboratory News & BioScience May 2017

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NEW ZEALAND LABORATORY NEWS | NEW ZEALAND BIOSCIENCE ISSUE 118 | MAY 2017 Bigheart at NUS and Holmusk partner to innovate healthcare IT for chronic disease SINGAPORE - The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Holmusk, a digital health and data analytics company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently to explore collaborations for improving healthcare delivery in the region. Under this MOU, the Biomedical Institute for Global Health Research and Technology (BIGHEART) at NUS and Holmusk will establish a working relationship on several topics related to healthcare IT and medical device development. These include personal informatics and intervention through healthcare applications, such as mobile food logging, diabetes management and mental health. Another area to be explored is the analysis of personal health data from surveys, smart phones and wearables, electronic medical records and other clinical data. "There are many critical healthcare challenges faced by both developed and developing countries today, " said Professor Luke P. Lee, founding director of BIGHEART at NUS. "This collaboration will allow us to take our interdisciplinary research further, by collaborating with Holmusk on apps, digital technology and predictive analytics. Together, we believe we can move closer towards overcoming some of the technical barriers that prevent good healthcare in the region. "BIGHEART at NUS is at the forefront of basic and translational healthcare research. We are excited to lend our digital health and data analytics experience and capabilities to these projects, in order to commercialise and bring pioneering research to the region in a practical and sustainable manner," said Nawal Roy , CEO and Founder of Holmusk. About National University of Singapore (NUS) A leading global university centred in Asia , the National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore's flagship university, which offers a global approach to education and research, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. NUS has 17 faculties and schools across three campuses. Its transformative education includes a broad-based curriculum underscored by multi-disciplinary courses and cross-faculty enrichment. More than 38,000 students from 100 countries enrich the community with their diverse social and cultural perspectives. NUS has three Research Centres of Excellence (RCE) and 30 university-level research institutes and centres. It is also a partner in Singapore's fifth RCE. The University has established many research partnerships and joint laboratories with academic institutions, industry leaders and government agencies. Research activities are strategic and robust, and NUS is well-known for its research strengths in engineering, life sciences and biomedicine, social sciences and natural sciences. The University also strives to create a supportive and innovative environment to promote creative enterprise within its community. For more information on NUS, visit www.nus.edu.sg Do More to guarantee precision, choose Precision Laboratory Balances and Scales from Wedderburn for improved quality control 9 Analytical Balances, Moisture Analysers and Heavy Duty Balances all expertly designed to suit your facility and budget. 9 Wide selection of Test Weights for your own in-house verification processes. 9 Accredited technicians who deliver ongoing technical services to ensure your equipment is verified in accordance with your quality assurance programs. 9 We are currently the only nationwide company to offer mass and balance IANZ endorsed calibrations with authorised signaturies in 5 locations. Contact Wedderburn today and enjoy the benefits of working with someone local. 0800 800-379 enquiries@wedderburn.co.nz www.wedderburn.co.nz Your innovative and reliable Chromatography partner, brought to you by Alphatech Systems + HPLC/UPLC/UPC2 + And all associated columns and chemistries + Mass spectrometry (MS) systems Book Your IANZ Calibration Today Phone: 0800 800 379 0800 ALPHATECH (0800 257428) www.alphatech.co.nz + 64 9 580 1959 + 64 9 580 2044 sales@alphatech.co.nz WE DELIVER... ONLY THE BRANDS WE KNOW YOU CAN TRUST [ 4 ]
NEW ZEALAND LABORATORY NEWS | NEW ZEALAND BIOSCIENCE IANZ accreditation crucial to export market By Dr Llew Richards, chief executive of International Accreditation New Zealand Fundamental to New Zealand’s exporting success is our ability to produce some of the world’s most sought-after products, such as dairy and meat, to an exceptionally high standard. As more than 95 percent of our agricultural produce is now exported, New Zealand has grown to be one the most efficient farming economies globally. We are well-respected for our pastoral farming expertise, food production systems, research and investment in education, animal health, farm technology and agricultural science. However, in order for New Zealand to remain a leading worldwide seller of quality agricultural produce, exports must have a Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) export assurance certificate to make sure the food being sold meets the destination countries’ standards, commonly known as overseas market access requirements (OMARs). The export assurance certificate/OMARs essentially act as a passport, helping good food (that’s passed all the necessary tests) get through importing country borders, aiding access into overseas markets for New Zealand exporters. This is where we, at IANZ, come in. The MPI have instituted a Recognised Laboratory Programme (RLP) that requires all RLP laboratories to be accredited by IANZ for the full range of tests that have been stipulated by overseas food regulators (such as those in the United States, who have a specific testing protocol). The last thing overseas markets want is contaminated beef or dairy to enter their food supply, which is why accreditation is so important. When a product, such as dairy, is being exported to 152 countries with different We exist to ensure these food testing laboratories, as well as many other testing and calibration laboratories, inspection bodies and radiology services, are technically competent to do the work they do. Striving to protect the health and wealth of New Zealand, as well as consumers overseas, helps guard the international reputation of the fantastic food products our country produces and provides to the world. Being compliant with the standards does not guarantee a because what is tested relates to the materials used, metho length and thickness of the glove, etc. In the table below you mance for three of our synthetic gloves based on EN16523-1:2 all comply with the same standards, but as you will notice th same level of performance. regulations between them, IANZ accreditation of the testing laboratories provides THE assurance that the specific regulatory require- THICKER AND LONGER THE GLOVE, THE BETT Chemical name CAS n° Concentration ments for those countries are being met. SHIELD NEO N An issue often encountered by labora- Thickness (Palm) 0 tories testing agricultural produce, and the Sodium acetate Sat. solution 127-09-3 100% 4 exporters themselves, is the fact OMARS are Acetic Acid 64-19-7 100% continually changing, with several OMARs issued every year. At IANZ, we are often Hydrochloric carrying Acid 7647-01-0 37% 4 out extension assessments for labora- Formic Acid tories needing to carry out testing in Acrylamide accordance 64-18-6 79-06-1 98-100% 40% 1 4 with these new methods. Secondary isoarmyl alcohol 98% 598-75-4 100% 4 IANZ accreditation also facilitates efficiency in business – stopping the need for dupli- Ethidium Bromide 1239-45 5% 4 Chloroform 67-66-3 99,80% cate testing. For example, where regulators in Dimethyl Formamide (DMF) 68-12-2 99% other countries recognise the New Zealand process, the product can go straight Dimethyl on the Sulfoxide (DMSO) 67-68-5 99% 1 market rather than being tested again. Ethanol Dr Llew Richards 64-17-5 100% 1 Formaldehyde 50-0-07 37% 4 Formamide 75-12-7 100% 1 Isobutanol 78-83-1 100% 4 Isopropanol 67-63-0 100% 4 Methanol 67-56-1 99,90% Phenol 108-95-2 50% 1 Sodium Hydroxide 1310-73-2 50% 4 Thris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane Sat. solution ISSUE 118 | MAY 2017 77-86-1 100% 4 DISCLAIMER: The data provided was based on gloves tested under laborato information is for guidance only and may not reflect the user’s application. A assess the suitability of gloves for a specific application. + twinSHIELD twinSHIELD techn • Double-layered = reduced • Stronger = better protecti • 2 colours: Red, Orange or ding to the risk and a soft EN16523-1: 2015 (s • Breakthrough occurs whe • The test temperature is 2 • Test results must be with samples tested. The lowe PPE CAT. III AQL 0,65 0120 [ 5 ]
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Laboratory News & BioScience May 2017

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