HERCULES, CA – March 12, 2012 – Bio–Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb), a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research and clinical diagnostic products, today announced that Bio-Rad's KnowItAll® Informatics System software package will be offered for use with the HORIBA Scientific range of Raman spectrometers.
The HORIBA Edition of the KnowItAll software provides scientists with an integrated environment for Raman spectroscopy with tools for spectral search, analysis, data mining, and HORIBA's database of over 1,700 spectra covering a wide range of application areas.
Once a Raman spectrum has been run using the HORIBA instrument, the user can send the spectrum to KnowItAll with a single mouse click and search against the database of reference spectra to determine if there is a match. The user then can then opt to access tools for additional analysis or database creation as needed.
"HORIBA Scientific's Raman instruments are renowned for their quality and performance and provide the ultimate Raman spectrum and images within seconds," said Andrew Whitley, Ph.D., HORIBA Vice President of Sales. "KnowItAll can help translate spectra into a clear material identification, providing analysts with the perfect tool for material identification and characterization. We are pleased to partner with Bio-Rad to offer such an expansive solution to the Raman community."
"Bio-Rad is proud to partner with HORIBA to offer a complete solution that takes the researcher from sample to identification," said Gregory M. Banik, Ph.D., General Manager, Informatics, Bio-Rad.
About Spectral Searching
Researchers use spectral search software to identify unknown substances and verify the composition of synthesized materials in a number of applications and industries. First, precision instruments measure a substance and produce a spectrum, which is expressed as a graph showing a series of peaks and valleys that is specific to the sample material. That spectrum is then compared with a database of the measured spectra of known substances. If a matching spectrum is found, the material in question can be identified. Bio-Rad's KnowItAll solutions provide search software tools, as well as the world's most extensive collection of reference spectra used in this type of analysis.
About KnowItAll Informatics Software
Bio-Rad's KnowItAll Informatics System is a fully integrated chemistry software and database package that provides scientific researchers multiple tools, including database building and management, search, analysis, structure drawing, and reporting all within a single user interface. The company's award-winning KnowItAll Informatics System offers fully flexible and expandable solutions for Infrared (IR), Raman, Near IR (NIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Mass Spectrometry (MS), Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, chromatography, chemometrics, and metabolomics.
About HORIBA
HORIBA is a global group of companies that provides analytical and measurement equipment used in science, environment, medical, safety, and energy applications. In 2013 HORIBA will celebrate their 60th anniversary. The company employs more than 5,000 people and in 2010 had sales exceeding $1.4 billion. The HORIBA world leading Raman business provides complete Raman spectroscopy solutions for analytical measurement, research, QC/QA, and industrial Raman applications. Products include Raman microscopes, hybrid Raman systems (such as Raman-FTIR and Raman-AFM), modular Raman systems, transmission Raman analyzers, dedicated in situ process Raman spectrometers, and miniaturized Raman instruments for high volume OEM manufacture. For more information, please visit www.horiba.com.
About Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb) has remained at the center of scientific discovery for more than 50 years, manufacturing and distributing a broad range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. The company is renowned worldwide among hospitals, universities, major research institutions, as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for its commitment to quality and customer service. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is headquartered in Hercules, California, and serves more than 100,000 research and industry customers worldwide through its global network of operations. The Company employs over 7,100 people globally and had revenues exceeding $2 billion in 2011. For more information, visit www.bio-rad.com.
Bio-Rad's Informatics division (www.informatics.bio-rad.com) specializes in software and database solutions for the scientific community including spectroscopy, chemistry, chemometrics, and metabolomics. Bio-Rad is the leading publisher of fully verified spectral databases with a collection of over 1.4 million spectra.
