MacResearch

This post queries the best means to use Intel Macs running the latest OS X, as a means to drive advanced chem/biotech instrumentation.

I run a university research center, currently expanding/under development, and I would like it to evolve into being an all Mac shop vis-a-vis its computing and instrument operations. (Aims of the center focus on high throughput drug discovery and informatics, see signature).

The center runs/will run a variety of instruments with dedicated PCs, running specialty applications from the instrument vendors in a WinXP environment. I'll focus this post on one application, for sake of discussion.

We'd like to run our advanced Agilent 1200 series preparative HPLC equipment, via their ChemStation 3D and related "open access" software, on an Intel Mac running OS X 10.5.

We'd prefer not to sacrifice OS X to do this -- we'd prefer not to use BootCamp or other dual boot solutions.

We intend to try to install ChemStation on WinXP using VMware Fusion 1.1.3.

I am looking for anyone with real-world experience on using Macs to running such advanced instrumentation, with Agilent operation being the pressing need.

Thank you in advance for any directions that you might be able to point us to.

______________________

Mark-Eugene Duban, PhD
Director, Laboratory for the Design of Bioactive Molecules, and
Center for Synthesis and Molecular Medicine [CESAMM]
RA Professor, NU Chemistry; AA Professor, Molecular Pharmacology
and Biological Chemistry, Feinberg School of Medicine

______________________

Chemistry of Life Processes Institute
Northwestern University
Technological Institute, K-359
2145 Sheridan Road
Evanston, Illinois USA 60208-3113

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