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Blacktrace Holdings Limited (Blacktrace), a private company focused on designing, developing and manufacturing cutting-edge scientific products, announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell the Syrris and Glass Solutions portfolios to Asahi Glassplant UK Limited (AG! UK) on 1st January 2020.
Phil Sansom from The Naked Scientists visited the Glass Solutions site in Ely, Sutton for the show's latest podcast episode titled “Crystal Clear About Glass”.


Dolomite Microfluidics is pleased to announce a new partnership with Emulseo – a start-up company dedicated to the design and production of high quality surfactants for droplet-based microfluidics – to distribute FluoSurf, a high performance continuous phase specifically formulated to stabilize aqueous droplets in microfluidic systems.

Dolomite Bio, a leading provider of high throughput single cell technology today announced the launch of a new application note demonstrating agarose encapsulation with the Nadia Innovate.

Syrris celebrated 10 fantastic years of business in India in style by embarking on an ambitious 1,950 km tour of the country to thank its loyal customers who have helped the business go from strength to strength.

Syrris India is 10 years old and to mark this special occasion, our team have hosted and attended numerous events to celebrate with our customers. We've documented our adventures in an online diary...

Blacktrace, a world leader in Productizing Science® has expanded its presence in Japan by opening a new office in Kanagawa and doubling its sales team. The expansion will help the company meet increasing demand from its key sectors in Japan, particularly for single cell technology.

Ciao everyone! Remember we took the Syrris Roadshow to Europe in Spring of this year? Well, we had such a great time we're back for round two: The Winter Tour!
Week uno (one) of the European Roadshow kicked off last week in bella Italia (beautiful Italy), with Marco Grasso and Vit Prchal behind the wheel of the van (though not at the same time, thankfully...)

Our Syrris Roadshow Aussie tour continues at pace. Stephen spent last weekend exploring beautiful Sydney, walking about 12 miles around the city. When the sun finally came out, so did his camera, and he got some great snaps of the Sydney Opera House. Apparently, Stephen wasn’t the only VIP in Sydney that weekend...

By its very definition, microfluidics manipulates fluids working below the milliliter range. Typically, this uses tubing and/or chips which have features ranging from 800 µm to the smallest chip we’ve produced at 0.2 µm. Dust particles, ranging in size from a few nanometres to the millimeter range, are found almost ubiquitously in nature. Fibers/hairs are also found universally and can be transferred through normal contact when handling equipment. Each source of contaminant has the potential to interrupt microfluidic experiments, but there are methods to mitigate and prevent these from occurring.

A Dolomite Bio system is helping researchers in the Department of Molecular Medicine at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark to explore the potential of single cell RNA sequencing for personalized treatment of bladder cancer.

Dolomite Bio, a leading provider of high throughput single cell technology today announced the release of its new drop-seq datasets for single cell RNA-Seq. The data, generated on Dolomite Bio’s Nadia Instrument, demonstrates excellent single cell RNA-seq performance with high gene capture, low doublet rates and cost-effective profiling.

Drug encapsulation with in polymeric particles, such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), has been common practice for the last 20 years. Until now however, methodologies commonly used to create such particles have been ineffective and wasteful. Conventional batch methods produce particles and beads with a wide range of diameters in each batch, meaning that the specific properties of the beads may vary significantly across the sample. By contrast, microfluidic technologies enable the production of highly monodisperse particles in a single step, thereby increasing the yield of on-specification bead sizes.


Researchers at the Biocatalysis and Organic Synthesis Group at the Chemistry Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro are using an Asia Flow Chemistry System to streamline biocatalysis reactions. Professor Rodrigo de Souza explains why his research group chose continuous flow...

Until now commonly used encapsulation methods (such as high-shear mixing or sonication) have been ineffective and wasteful. By contrast, droplet microfluidic technology enables high encapsulation efficiency and the fabrication of unique formulations that are difficult or impossible to achieve using standard methodologies. This gives researchers access to variety of formulation that can be fine-tuned depending on the nature of the (API) and specific functional requirements.

This week was Stuart and Omar’s turn to host the roadshow in Finland. Stuart started their stint by himself and encountered our first problem with the van when leaving Norway. It started shaking uncontrollably and he noticed that the tyres had gone a completely abnormal shape! He had to drive approx 150 kms to the next city (Oslo to Karlstadt) at about 40 km/hr. He managed to get the tyre changed with the spare and then had a short 4 hour trip to Stockholm. What a hero!

In an article published in the May edition of Speciality Chemicals Magazine, Professor Ardson dos Santos Vainna, Department of Chemical Engineering, São Paulo State University, discusses how the use of a continuous flow chemistry process in a Syrris Asia Flow Chemistry microreactor system enhances the efficiency of styrene polymerization.

Founded in August 2001 with the creation of the Syrris brand to address some of the technology challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry, Blacktrace combines a wealth of science and product engineering knowledge to develop innovative products for various advanced research markets.

Blacktrace Holdings Limited, a leading group of companies focused on Productizing Science®, is pleased to announce the launch of its latest brand, Dolomite Bio. Spun out from sister company Dolomite Microfluidics, this biology-focused brand will develop innovative products for high throughput single cell research.

Blacktrace Holdings Limited, a leading group of companies focused on Productizing Science®, will be launching its latest brand, Particle Works, at the NANOTEXNOLOGY 2016conference in Thessaloniki, Greece, from the 4th to the 8th of July.

Dolomite, a pioneering microfluidics specialist, and Lab on a Chip are pleased to announce the winner of the Productizing Science® 2015 competition, Zimmertech AS.

Blacktrace Holdings Ltd., a leading group of companies focused on design, development and manufacture of truly innovative, premium quality scientific products has acquired Glass Solutions, a leading UK manufacturer of precision glassware.

Blacktrace Holdings has acquired Centeo Biosciences, a leading provider of sample preparation products for life-sciences.


Dolomite Microfluidics is simplifying research into drug encapsulation by offering a complete automated system for polymer micro- and nanoparticle generation. The company’s Drug Encapsulation System provides scientists with a quick, simple and scalable way of encapsulating drug samples, without the need for extensive microfluidics knowhow.

The MicroTAS Video Competition 2017, sponsored by Dolomite Microfluidics and Lab on a Chip, and supported by the Chemical and Biological Microsystems Society, saw first prize awarded to Anu Kaushik and Alex Trick, PhD candidates in the BioMEMS and Single Molecule Dynamics Lab at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Anu explained the idea behind their entertaining and creative video: “A few months before the conference, we realized that we both had an interest in hip-hop and rap, as well as playing around with music-making software. We thought a rap parody explaining our research would be a great way to integrate our work with our love of music. The video describes our research on droplet microfluidics for single-cell analysis and the benefits of using this technique to discretize cells from tissue samples to achieve faster detection, increase signal to noise ratio and analyze cellular heterogeneity.”

The Pioneers of Miniaturization Lectureship 2017, sponsored by Dolomite Microfluidics and Lab on a Chip, has been awarded to Professor Aaron Wheeler in recognition of his contribution to digital microfluidics, a technique which involves manipulation of discrete microfluidic droplets on the surface of an array of electrodes coated with a hydrophobic insulator.

Dolomite Microfluidics is making microencapsulation technology more widely accessible with the Telos® droplet system, designed for high throughput and easy scale up. The modular components provide scientists with excellent process control, and the ability to choose from a range of particle diameters between 10 and 50 µm on a single piece of hardware.

Telos® 2 Reagent Chips from Dolomite Microfluidics have helped San Francisco-based ProLynx LLC to develop a novel drug delivery platform. Jeff Henise, Director of Process Development at ProLynx, explained: “Traditional polymer encapsulation delivery systems rely on diffusion or breakdown of the polymer to release their payload. In contrast, our drug delivery system offers controlled release using self-cleaving linkers to attach the drug to hydrogel microsphere carriers....

Dolomite, a world leader in microfluidics innovation, is celebrating the success of its Fluidic Factory 3D printer in the ‘Processing and Prototyping’ category this year’s R&D 100 Awards. This innovative system – the first commercially available 3D printer for fluidically-sealed devices – offers rapid, straightforward and reliable prototyping of microfluidic components, including chips, manifolds, connectors and other devices. Using cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) makes it easy and affordable to 3D print devices for almost any application.

Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) are using a Dolomite Fluidic Factory to help develop a novel carbon capture technology intended for industrial applications1. Mindy Simon, postdoctoral research associate, explained: “Carbon capture is important for power generation and other heavy industries, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Here at LLNL, we have developed an innovative microcapsule technology which consists of a highly permeable polymer shell surrounding a CO2-absorbing liquid core. These microcapsules can be loaded into columns which can then be placed into a smoke-stack or other industrial outlet, capturing the CO2 before it is released into the environment.”

This year's MicroTAS Video Competition has been won by Enrica Rollo from EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) in Switzerland, for her entertaining comparison between cleanrooms and kitchens. The annual competition – run by microfluidics specialist Dolomite and Lab on a Chip, and supported by the Chemical and Biological Microsystems Society – embraces the lighter side of life sciences and chemistry, while giving delegates a chance to win €2,500 worth of Dolomite microfluidics equipment.

Dolomite, a world leader in microfluidics innovation, unveiled its innovative Fluidic Factory at Lab-on-a-Chip & Microfluidics 2016 in Madrid, Spain, on the 15th of March.

Dolomite has developed the Meros High Speed Digital Microscope specifically for microfluidic applications. This high resolution imaging system allows users to conveniently monitor high speed microfluidic events, such as droplet formation, using a built-in stage.

A Dolomite microfluidic system is helping Dr Samar Damiati, Assistant Professor in the Biochemistry Department at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia, perform drug encapsulation studies.

Dolomite, a world leader in microfluidics innovation, has launched the groundbreaking µEncapsulator 1 System, the only microfluidic product specifically designed to meet the needs of research biologists. This user-friendly, high throughput system offers simple, straightforward encapsulation of single cells, DNA and/or functionalised beads in high precision, identically-sized picolitre droplets.

Dolomite, part of the Blacktrace group of companies, is celebrating a decade of excellence in the design and manufacture of novel, high quality microfluidic products, including individual components such as pumps, chips, connectors, temperature controllers and sensors, software solutions and complete microfluidic systems.

Dolomite, a world leader in microfluidics innovation, has launched the Single Cell RNA-Seq Chip for simple, reliable creation of single cell libraries.

Dolomite, a world leader in microfluidics innovation, will be previewing its innovative Fluidic Factory at MicroTAS 2015 in Gyeongju, Korea, on the 25th of October.

Microfluidics specialist Dolomite has teamed up with Lab on a Chip and the Chemical and Biological Microsystems Society to create the first ever MicroTAS Video Competition.

Dolomite, a pioneering microfluidics specialist, and Lab on a Chip are pleased to announce the winner of the Productizing Science® 2015 competition, Zimmertech AS.

Dolomite Microfluidics, the world leader in innovative microfluidic products, has seen significant growth in the sale of its Micro Droplet Systems, particularly for cell encapsulation applications.

Dolomite, a world leader in microfluidics innovation, has launched new flexible, cost-effective Flow Chemistry Systems at the 250th American Chemical Society Meeting and Exposition in August 2015.

Syrris will be launching Orb, a novel jacketed reactor system at the 250th American Chemical Society Meeting and Exposition on the 16th of August 2015. Orb combines exceptional value and high quality construction with unique user-friendly features and reliable performance for batch chemistry.

Explosives manufacturer Eurenco, based in Karlskoga, Sweden, relies on a ChemiSens Calorimeter to ensure the safety of its production processes. Helen Stenmark, R&D manager for explosives and propellants, explained: "Safety is paramount when you are working with explosives. Our reactions involve a great deal of energy, and it is vital to have the right equipment – for cooling and stirring, for example – to safely control the process."

Syrris, a world leader in chemistry product innovation, has launched the Atlas Nanoparticle System for the automated synthesis of quantum dots. This fully automated solution offers complete control over temperature, mixing, dosing and sampling, allowing the production of nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution.

A Syrris Atlas Calorimeter is proving advantageous to the Kyushu works manufacturing technology department of Nippon Steel & Sumikin Chemical Co., Ltd. in Japan, aiding scale-up of new product processes.

Syrris, a world leader in flow chemistry product innovation, has extended its range of Asia microreactors with the launch of ultra-low temperature 3-input microreactor chips offering fast, reproducible mixing, rapid heat transfer and minimized back pressure.

The modular Asia system from Syrris is providing researchers at the Romanian National Institute for Research and Development for Chemistry and Petrochemistry (ICECHIM) with the ability to explore a range of flow chemistry applications.

Syrris, a world leader in laboratory-scale and flow chemistry systems, continues to go from strength to strength, achieving sales growth of 18 % during 2014 and best-ever sales of all its product lines – the modular Atlas and Globe batch reactors, bespoke custom reactor systems (CRS) and the revolutionary Asia range of flow chemistry products – culminating in the company’s most successful year to date.

Blacktrace Holdings Limited, a leading group of companies focused on Productizing Science®, is pleased to announce that with effect from 16th January 2015 it has acquired the assets of ChemiSens AB, based in Lund, Sweden.

Syrris, a world leader in flow chemistry product innovation, enjoyed another successful global series of flow chemistry seminars in 2014. These free events, which combine theoretical discussion with hands-on sessions, enabled chemists to develop their understanding of the many and varied benefits of flow chemistry.

The modular Asia flow chemistry system from Syrris proved key to the success of a recently described process for accelerated total synthesis of spirodienal A and spirangien A methyl ester.

Dolomite Microfluidics, a sister company to flow chemistry specialist Syrris, has developed an innovative range of Micro Droplet Systems for automatic, seamless production of monodispersed droplets.

Innovative batch and flow reactors from leading manufacturer Syrris are proving advantageous for a variety of nanoparticle applications, offering scientists working in the field numerous benefits.

Syrris is pleased to announce the launch of its state-of-the-art Atlas Cryo Reactor, providing exceptional cooling capability down to -80 °C.

Syrris, a world-leader in the field of flow chemistry, is pleased to announce the forthcoming launch of its Asia Flux electrochemistry module at the International Conferences on MicroREaction Technology (IMRET) in Budapest, Hungary, from the 23rd to the 25th of June 2014.

The Atlas Potassium Pressure, a modular 3 bar pressure reactor from Syrris that can be controlled manually or automatically, has been designed specifically for high vacuum processes and applications requiring elevated pressures such as hydrogenations and carbonylations.

Syrris, a world leader in flow chemistry product innovation has launched the advanced Asia Cryo Controller, designed specifically for flow chemistry.

Syrris, a world leader in flow chemistry product innovation, is pleased to announce the launch of the Asia Tube Cooler, the latest addition to the Company’s range of advanced flow chemistry products.

Syrris has collaborated with the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) to manufacture a unique custom reactor system (CRS) for the Institute’s Petroleum Research Center.

Syrris continues to lead the way with its batch reactor products and flow chemistry systems, increasing profits by over 50% year-on-year.

Spanish biotechnology company Midatech Biogune is taking advantage of our Atlas Potassium reactor systems to produce custom-made functionalized gold nanoparticles for medicinal use.

Phil Sansom from The Naked Scientists visited the Glass Solutions site in Ely, Sutton for the show's latest podcast episode titled “Crystal Clear About Glass”.

Glass Solutions, a world leader in the manufacture of high quality, precision glassware, is the supplier of choice for a wide variety of laboratories, providing specialist scientific glassware backed by unrivalled service and support. With extensive in-house expertise, combined with the UK’s largest advanced glass-blowing facility, the company is ideally placed to produce exceptional quality, precision manufactured glassware to suit a wide variety of laboratory applications.

Innoval Technology – a global aluminium consultancy company – relies on Glass Solutions to supply precision-manufactured bodies for glass tube brazing furnaces. Adam Nadin, a metallurgical engineer at Innoval, explained: “Many of the companies that manufacture aluminium components do not have in-house laboratories, so rely on our expertise to provide process support and product-related solutions. Using a glass tube brazing furnace, our Materials Testing Team can quickly and accurately simulate industrial conditions on a small scale.”

ALS Food and Pharmaceutical, based in Chatteris, UK, relies on Glass Solutions to maintain its laboratory glassware.

Glass Solutions is the world leader in high quality, precision glassware for scientific, architectural and engineering applications, and offers bespoke design and glass blowing capabilities to match individual customer needs.

Glass Solutions is working with bespoke furniture and lighting designers FRD Ltd to produce individual lighting installations for both private and public spaces.

Bolton-based PTFE Developments Ltd. specialises in the production of fluoropolymer-lined chemical process equipment for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, relying on Glass Solutions to supply the high quality glass used in its tubular sight glasses.

Glass Solutions, a world leader in the manufacture of high quality, precision glassware, is the supplier of choice for numerous design agencies, architects and production companies requiring custom-designed, decorative pieces of glassware.

Glass Solutions has collaborated with production company Atom Ltd to manufacture a unique high quality glass trophy for a large multinational company.

Glass Solutions hand-blown precision glassware is key to the continued success of Yorkshire-based LabPlant UK's laboratory scale spray dryers.

Haberdashery, a London-based design consultancy, relies on Glass Solutions to produce top quality, custom-made glassware for its landmark sculptural lighting commissions.

Blackpool-based RocketScienceMods, a manufacturer of high-end electronic cigarette components, turned to glassware specialist Glass Solutions to meet its need for a bespoke high quality drip tip.

Glass Solutions has launched a range of jacketed reactor systems combining excellent value with reliable performance for process development, reaction optimization, or production applications.

After spending the summer preparing the new 12000sq ft facility with the very latest infrastructure, Glass Solutions has now relocated both its March and Cambridge sites.

Glass Solutions is delighted to announce its recent acquisition of Labglass Ltd, the reaction vessel specialist based in north Cambridgeshire.
During the summer Glass Solutions had the opportunity to manufacture a series of glass shades for installation into one of London’s top hotels. Like everything else that had been commissioned for this project it was on a grand scale.
It takes more than a good idea to make something truly remarkable, and a product can’t be a company’s only asset; the people are equally, if not more, valuable. At Particle Works, we remain committed to the belief that our true value lies with the people behind the particles, who make it all possible.

Particle Works – the nano- and microparticle materials specialist – has developed a range of high quality quantum dots for use in diagnostic, biomedical and optoelectronic applications.

Particle Works – a Blacktrace Holdings brand – is a world leader in the synthesis of nano- and microparticles.

Particle Works – the nano- and microstructured material specialist – has developed a range of alginate and agarose hydrogel beads designed to enable three dimensional cell culture growth.

Particle Works – the nano- and microstructured material specialist – provides microencapsulation services for drug development applications, including controlled drug release, solubility enhancement or targeted drug delivery.

Blacktrace Holdings Limited, a leading group of companies focused on Productizing Science®, will be launching its latest brand, Particle Works, at the NANOTEXNOLOGY 2016 conference in Thessaloniki, Greece, from the 4th to the 8th of July.

Particle Works, supplier of high-performance micro-and-nanostructured materials, has released a range of metal nanoparticles specifically engineered to achieve high performance in applications such as lateral flow assays, catalysis, photo thermal heating, drug delivery and magnetic separation.

Particle Works, a world leader in the manufacture of high performance particles, offers significant benefits to a wide range of applications. Particle Works supplies micro-and nanostructured for lateral flow assays, bio imaging, catalysts, light emitting materials, magnetic materials, targeted drug delivery, controlled drug release and cell growth medium.

Particle Works is very excited to announce the launch of its website. Particle Works manufactures high performance micro- and nanomaterials for a wide range of applications, and being able to find information about our products and services quickly and easily is crucial for visitors. Customers are at the heart of our website design - we have made sure that the website is easy to use, simple to navigate, visually appealing and that it displays large images of products and key information at a glance with an option to expand.

Dolomite Bio, a brand of Blacktrace Holdings Limited, celebrated the first anniversary of its launch on March 1st, marking the end of a fruitful year in business. This biology-focused brand, a spin out from sister company Dolomite Microfluidics, is dedicated to the development of innovative products for high throughput single cell encapsulation.

Dolomite Bio has launched a new Injection Valve and Sample Loop for single cell RNA sequencing workflows. This option enables straightforward, gentle introduction of evenly distributed mRNA capture beads into the company’s RNA-Seq System for individual encapsulation of cells.

Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, are taking advantage of the single cell encapsulation capabilities of Dolomite Bio’s Single Cell RNA-Seq System to investigate resistance mechanisms in prostate cancer. Karolina Nowakowska, a PhD student at The Institute of Cancer Research, explained: “Our team is focused on studying treatment resistance in prostate cancer patients, looking at the biochemical mechanisms responsible.

Dolomite Bio’s Single Cell RNA-Seq System is helping researchers at the University of Helsinki to investigate autoimmune diseases. Focusing on gastrointestinal conditions – such as coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease – the Molecular Genetics of Immunological Diseases group is using the system to study T-cell activation and response at the single cell level.

Dolomite Bio has developed the Single Cell RNA-Seq System for efficient, high throughput single cell transcriptomics. This compact, scalable system enables rapid, reproducible droplet encapsulation of individual cells, allowing up to 10,000 single cell libraries to be generated in one 15-minute run.

Blacktrace Holdings Limited, a leading group of companies focused on Productizing Science®, is pleased to announce the launch of its latest brand, Dolomite Bio. This biology-focused brand – spun out from sister company Dolomite Microfluidics – is dedicated to the development of innovative products for high throughput single cell research.

Dolomite Bio has developed the Meros High Speed Digital Microscope specifically for microfluidic applications. This high resolution imaging system allows users to conveniently monitor high speed microfluidic events, such as droplet formation, using a built-in stage.

Dolomite Bio, a world leader in microfluidics innovation, has launched the ground-breaking µEncapsulator 1 System, the only microfluidic product specifically designed to meet the needs of research biologists. This user-friendly, high throughput system offers simple, straightforward encapsulation of single cells, DNA and/or functionalised beads in high precision, identically-sized picolitre droplets.

Dolomite, part of the Blacktrace group of companies, is celebrating a decade of excellence in the design and manufacture of novel, high quality microfluidic products, including individual components such as pumps, chips, connectors, temperature controllers and sensors, software solutions and complete microfluidic systems.

Dolomite, a world leader in microfluidics innovation, has launched the Single Cell RNA-Seq Chip for simple, reliable creation of single cell libraries. This new chip allows researchers to use droplet-based microfluidic methods to help explore the behaviour of thousands of individual cells, providing a rapid and easy way to screen for new or cryptic cell types.

Dolomite Microfluidics, the world leader in innovative microfluidic products, has seen significant growth in the sale of its Micro Droplet Systems, particularly for cell encapsulation applications.

A Dolomite droplet generation system is helping researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, USA, to encapsulate human and mouse B cells for the cloning of antibody genes.

Microfluidics specialist Dolomite has created a low cost kit aimed at educational initiatives or those new to microfluidics. The Educational Microfluidic Starter Kit offers connect-and-go microfluidic capabilities, allowing easy set-up without the need for specialist tools or a gas supply.
