Re Biological Research Magnet
Oxford Instruments PLC
10 August 2000
Oxford Instruments Launches the
World's Most Powerful Magnet for Biological Research
Oxford Instruments plc, the advanced instrumentation company,
announces today that it has developed and built the world's
most powerful magnet suitable for use in biological research.
The 900 MHz magnet will be used in NMR systems to carry out
biological and medical research into the 3-dimensional
structure of macromolecules such as DNA and proteins including
insulin. Knowledge of these structures is essential for
understanding the molecular basis of disease and developing
new therapeutic drugs. With this powerful magnet, scientists
will be able to see these molecules in greater detail than
ever before.
Development of the magnet confirms Oxford Instruments'
position as a world leader in the production of
superconducting magnets. The Company believes it is the first
to develop a magnet of this size that is capable of producing
reliable and consistent results.
Magnets such as this are used in NMR systems by biotechnology,
pharmaceutical and medical organisations involved in research
projects. This work is carried out by both government and
commercial organisations.
Oxford Instruments is supplying the 900 MHz magnet to Varian,
a leading supplier of NMR systems.
Andrew Mackintosh, Chief Executive of Oxford Instruments,
said:
'This is a great achievement for our team at Oxford
Instruments, clearly demonstrating our world leading position
in the design and manufacture of superconducting magnets.
Biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical research markets are
demanding increasingly sophisticated tools to analyse
molecular structures. Our 900MHz NMR magnet provides a step
towards meeting this demand and the technological advances
made to develop this product can be used to develop the next
generation of superconductive magnets.'
Ray Shaw, General Manager of Varian NMR Systems, said:
'The successful completion of the high resolution 900 MHz
magnet by Oxford Instruments represents an impressive
milestone achievement in NMR magnet development and will
certainly be welcomed by NMR scientists who continue to tackle
many challenging problems in structural biology.'
Enquiries:
Oxford Instruments plc 01865 881 437
Andrew Mackintosh
Martin Lamaison
Citigate Dewe Rogerson 020 7638 9571
Chris Barrie / Melanie York
Notes to editors
1. Oxford Instruments
Oxford Instruments is a global leader in advanced
instrumentation. It is a recognised world leader in several
technologies, including superconductivity and the creation of
low temperatures and in neurological measurements. The
Company's products are used all over the world for scientific
research, industrial chemical analysis and quality control,
semiconductor processing and healthcare. Its customers
include most of the world's major international companies as
well as the leading research institutes.
2. Varian
Varian, Inc. is a world leader in scientific instruments and
vacuum technologies, serving life science, healthcare,
chemical, environmental, and industrial customers. It is a
major supplier of NMR systems, analytical instrument
solutions, vacuum products and services, and specialized
contract electronics manufacturing.
The company manufactures in 11 locations in North America,
Europe, and the Pacific Rim and employs more than 3,600
employees. Varian, Inc. had 1999 sales of $599 million.
Additional information about Varian, Inc. is available at
www.varianinc.com
3. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
Biochemists use High Resolution NMR for the detailed study of
living things at molecular level. NMR works on the same
principle as MRI imaging used for medial diagnosis, but using
far stronger magnetic fields. NMR is one of the premier tools
used by scientists to analyse the 3-dimensional structure of
molecules. When molecules are placed in a strong magnetic
field, their ability to absorb and transmit high frequency
radio waves can be measured. Scientists can interpret these
radio wave patterns and use them to reconstruct the structure
and shape of independent molecules or more complex
macromolecules. The stronger the magnetic field the greater
the detail that can be used.
The development of the 900 MHz magnet depended on devising new
techniques for handling and creating stable, strong coils from
advanced superconducting materials.
The magnet stands 4 metres tall and is 2 meters in diameter
with a 1 metre wide spiral staircase around the outside to
allow easy access to the top of the magnet.
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