HARRIS LABORATORIES, INC. As an independent research, development, and testing laboratory, Harris offers a broad spectrum of services for clients and uses modern-day analytical instrumentation and techniques
RESEARCH, development, and quality control projects at Harris Labora-
Entrance to Harris Laboratories Central Laboratory and main offices in Lincoln, Neb. Branch laboratories are maintained in Lexington, Neb., Liberal, Kan.; and Cedar Falls, Iowa 86 A
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tories utilize analytical, biological, pharmaceutical, and agricultural chemistry. The 15,000-square-foot modern structure a t the central laboratory houses 50 scientists, technicians, and administratire personnel, 25% of whom are primarily engaged in the development and utilization of new analytical methods for identifying and quantitating drug metabolites, pesticide, or other agricultural cihemical residues. Branch laboratories include an additional 30 staff members engaged primarily in research and routine analytical analyses for agricultural industries. Harris Laboratories, Inc., is an independent research, development, and testing organization specializing in service to pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, agricultural chemical, and chemical specialty industries. The firm was organized in 1933 and now serves clients in all 50 states and 20 foreign countries. A broad spectrum of services is provided a t five different laboratory locations. Central laboratories and main offices are located in Lincoln, Kebraska, with branch laboratories in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Lexington, Nebraska, and Liberal, Kansas. In addition, a 20-acre research farm is maintained in Roca, Nebraska, 15 miles from the central laboratory. Total operations include over 40,000 square feet of laboratories and supporting facilities. Laboratory services are divided into nine major areas: Research and Development ; Chemistry (analytical, biochemical, agricultural, and pharmaceutical) ; Clinical Pathology and X c r o biology; Pharmacology and Toxicology; Residues; Agricultural Chemicals; Air and Stream Pollution; Government Liaison; and Technical Services. Clients of the firm range from large industrial corporations, such as American Cyanamid Co., to small individually owned concerns. To provide research and testing programs for highly diversified requirements of clients, the firm applies a wide range of analytical instrumentation in-
One of the principal services provided is the analyses of soil samples for fertilizer recommendations. This picture demonstrates the large volume of samples analyzed each year by showing the processing (not storage) area for samples. Over 60,000 such Sam. ples will be analyzed this year
Spectrophotometers of all types find varied application in the diversified work performed by the company’s scientists. One of the particular applications of the unit shown is in the routine screening of extracted samples from race horses and greyhounds to certify that the animals have not been illegally medicated Growth chambers and greenhouses are maintained for research on agricultural products. In this particular greenhouse, plants ranging in type from weeds to evergreen trees have been grown for studies on growth stimulators, herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers
cluding atomic absorption spectrophotometers, recording polarograph, ultraviolet and infrared spectrophotometers, liquid scintillation counters, gas-liquid chromatographs equipped with a variety of detectors, microcoulometer, and Wapburg manometer. Since fluorometry has become incremingly important in biological analyses, a Turner fluorometer was recently installed t o assay animal tissues for residues and metabolites of new drug compounds. rltomic absorption spectroscopy has become one of the most important of the newer research tools and is widely used in the agricultural division for trace element analysis of soils, plants, and feeds (in fact, three such units are in continuous use 16 hours a day
during the winter months to handle the sample volume). Other uses of atomic absorption by the laboratory include scientific criminology investigations for city or state police departments and the detection of drug pesticide residues in research studies. The laboratory continues to expand gas-liquid chromatography facilities for staff members feel that this equipment has proven most valuable in developing new analytical methods for animal and plant tissue residues of new phiarmaceutical and agricultural chemical compounds. Thermal conductivity, hydrogen flame, electron capture, and thermionic detectors are used routinely. For certain special projects gas chromatograph and infrared spectrophotometer or gas chromatograph and microVOL. 39, NO. 14, DECEMBER 1967
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Advanced teratological and pharmacological studies often require the use of this complete surgery facility. Examination and/or internal €issue collection can be conducted without the loss of the research animal
Because of the large volume of Samples handled at the branch laboratories, work areas are designed almost like production lines with “stations” that continually perform the same operation i n the analysis. This photo shows a nitrification rate ”station” including special automatic pipetting racks (left rear and right front) that pipet an accurate amount of reagent into a rack of 12 samples as rapidly as the handle can be pulled Swine are extensively used in the eval. uation of veterinary pharmaceuticals, research on hu man pharmaceuticals (particularly cardiac drugs), chronic toxicity studies, and cosmetic research (skin irritation studies). In the past three years, over 1000 swine, 120 calves, 200 cattle, 10,000 poultry, 100 sheep, 30 goats, and 10 horses have been used in research. The company also utilizes over 600 rabbits and 25,000 rats each year 88 A
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coulometer instruments are combined. The use of polarographic techniques hars increased rapidly in the past few years, especially in connection with researoh or testing projects for clients in foreign countries. Firms in European countries have utilized polarography to a much greater extent than those in the United States. A recording polarograph is now in almost continuous use in connection with a variety of analytical studies related t o both drug and agricultural chemical compounds. Respirometers, specialized thin-layer chromatography appamtub, and electrophoresis units are widely used by the laboratory in biochemical analysis. Thin-layer chromatography is also used t o \separate components of complex mixtures or to eliminate interfering substances present in biological extracts. Much of the research requires the use of other unique faoilities which the laboratory maintains including: greenhouses; growth ohambers; homing facilities for animals ranging in size from mice to beef cattle (including wild fowl and fish) ; a complete surgery unit; field test plots located from coast t o coast : planting and harvesting equipment ranging in size from small mowers to self-propelled combines; and completely portable sampling equipment for air and stream pollution surveys. While a number of floor plans have been used for their laboratories, the Harris organization has now standardized on rooms which are 10% feet wide and 20 to 24 feet long. This size room was selected t o provide the most efficient use of space with a maximum work area. All laboratories and small animal facilities are air conditioned. Space requirement8 and laboratory arrangements may change rapidly in handling contract research for clients, so most partitions are movable and utilities are arranged so that they can be easily connected or changed in any area. Construction has been started on a 9000-square-foot addition t o thc rebearch and development section of the firm. This will provide space for a computer t o be used for statistical analysis, engineering design, and in conjunction with some automated analytical equipment. It is anticipated that the computer will also be programmed for automatic interpretation and report typing of certain routine testing projects such as soil and plant analysis. The new laboratories mill also provide space for the installation of automated equipment for clinical chemistry, gas chromatography, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Circle NO. 81 on Readers’ Service Card ---t
