TRADE NEWS: Agilent Technologies Expands HPLC-Chip/MS With Five New Chips for Large and Small Molecule Analysis.

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today expanded its line of revolutionary, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) chip/mass spectrometry (MS) modules, introducing five chips for the study of small and large molecules.

Agilent's breakthrough HPLC-Chip technology combines nanoflow HPLC with an electrospray ionization source in a reusable microfluidic chip, which is smaller than a credit card. Agilent's first two HPLC-Chips, the Protein ID chip and the MS Calibration and Diagnostic chip, were introduced about a year ago. Based on enthusiastic customer response, Agilent developed the additional five chips to cover a wider range of applications.

The HPLC-Chip/MS makes the dramatic sensitivity increases promised by nanospray LC/MS attainable by more researchers, thanks to elimination of half the fittings and connections of conventional nanoflow LC/MS systems. This reduces the potential for leaks and dead volumes while significantly simplifying workflow and reliability.

"Using HPLC-Chip, we have more than doubled our productivity, analyzing four to six samples per hour instead of the one or two that we could do with classical nanoflow-LC, and all at increased sensitivity," said Dr. David Stapleton, research transfer facility manager, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Melbourne, Australia.

"Agilent strives to streamline customers' entire workflows," said Chris van Ingen, president of Agilent's Chemical Analysis and Life Sciences group. "The plug-and-play aspects of these chips unlock the profound benefits of nanoflow analysis for researchers hindered by the complexities of conventional nanoflow systems."

The New HPLC-Chips

--The Protein ID chip #2, featuring a 40 nl enrichment column and 150 mm x 75 um analytical column packed with Zorbax 300SB C18 5 um. It joins the original Protein ID chip, which has a 40 nl enrichment column and 43 mm x 75 um analytical column with the same Zorbax packing material and features a longer analytical column for enhanced peak capacity.

--The infusion chip, designed for applications requiring direct infusion or automated flow injection of the sample directly into the mass spectrometer at nanoflow rates for the collection of MS and MS/MS data. Unlike other HPLC-Chips, this chip does not include an enrichment or analytical column.

--The small molecule chip, designed for pharmaceutical and other small molecule applications. It contains a 40 nl enrichment column and 43 mm x 75 um analytical column packed with Zorbax 80SB C18 5 um.

--The glycan chip, for use in oligosaccharide separation applications. This chip also can be used for polar small molecules and structurally related compounds, such as geometric isomers and diastereoisomers. This chip features a 40 nl enrichment column and 43 mm x 75 up analytical column packed with graphitized carbon.

--The custom chip. Agilent will pack standard-layout HPLC-Chips with customer-specified media, and will also work with customers to produce chips with custom layouts, features and functionalities.

To enable compliance and experiment management, the HPLC-Chip includes a radio frequency tag that contains information such as chip ID and type, documentation, diagnostic and operational data, and additional memory for user comments. The RF tag is read each time the chip is inserted into the HPLC-Chip Cube interface on the mass spec, and information is updated on the tag before chip removal.

The HPLC-Chip Cube

The second component of the HPLC-Chip/MS system is the HPLC-Chip/MS Cube interface. In addition to positioning the electrospray ionization tip orthogonal to the MS inlet for maximum sensitivity and robustness, the HPLC-Chip Cube MS interface automatically loads and seals the chip, establishing high-pressure, leak-tight fluid connections.

About Agilent in HPLC

Agilent is a global leader in LC, LC/MS and HPLC. Agilent sells more than 900 LC columns, ranging from 0.075 mm to 50 mm ID, 15 mm to 250 mm in length, 1.8 um to 10 um particle sizes and more than 65 bonded phases, plus additional special-application columns.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 21,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $5.1 billion in fiscal 2005. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

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