Genetix Group plc CloneSelect Imager Can Replace MTT Assay for Cytotoxicity

New Milton, Hampshire, UK, 27th July 2010 – Genetix, a leading provider of solutions for imaging and image analysis, announces the availability of an independent, peer-reviewed publication comparing cytotoxicity testing using its CloneSelect Imager™ system against the conventional, widely-used, colorimetric MTT assay. The work was performed at the Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University and published in BioMed Central Biotechnology.

Entitled ‘Accurate non-invasive image-based cytotoxicity assays for cultured cells’, the paper concludes: “This new image-based technique has the potential to replace the cumbersome MTT assay when fast, unbiased and high-throughput cytotoxicity determination is required.”

Charles de Rohan, head of the Genetix Business Unit within Leica Microsystems, added, “Apart from the advantages of speed and ease of use, the label-free, non-destructive imaging technique used by the CloneSelect Imager system offers the unique possibility to directly analyze cell proliferation and cell death as a function of time, thereby revealing the effect of potential cytotoxic agents and generating a dose response curve.”

CloneSelect Imager provides a non-invasive, image-based alternative to MTT assays. As no staining is required the use of colorimetric kits is avoided, saving both time and cost. Using white light imaging and advanced image analysis, the system is used to track cell growth in each well of a microplate, accurately determining cell confluence and estimating cell number. Screening of a 96 well plate is extremely fast, with data acquisition in less than three minutes. Data can be displayed visually and exported for further analysis.

For more information please visit: • BMC Biotechnology: http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1472-6750-10-43.pdf • CloneSelect Imager: http://www.genetix.com/en/systems/cloneselectimager/introduction/index.html

About Genetix (www.genetix.com)

Headquartered in New Milton, UK, with offices in the UK, US, Germany and Japan, Genetix is an independent business unit within Leica Microsystems. The company provides scientists and clinicians with unrivalled solutions for imaging and intelligent image analysis in the life science and clinical markets.

In research, pharmaceutical and biotherapeutic development, Genetix systems continue to establish industry standards in areas such as picking microbial colonies for genomic studies or screening and selection of mammalian cell lines. Other systems use imaging platforms to monitor cell growth, evaluate cellular response and quantify tissue biomarkers.

In the clinical market, Genetix holds a leading position with thousands of systems based on its CytoVision® platform used in cytogenetics laboratories throughout the world.

Through its expertise in robotics, cell and molecular biology, image analysis and interpretation, supported by a strong IP portfolio, Genetix is committed to the continual development of innovative solutions.

About Leica Microsystems (www.leica-microsystems.com)

Leica Microsystems is a leading global designer and producer of innovative, high-tech, precision optical systems for the analysis of microstructures. It is one of the market leaders in each of its business areas: Microscopy, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy with corresponding Imaging Systems, Specimen Preparation, and Medical Equipment.

The company manufactures a broad range of products for numerous applications requiring microscopic imaging, measurement, and analysis. It also offers system solutions for life science including biotechnology and medicine, research and development of raw materials, and industrial quality assurance. The company is represented in over 100 countries with 11 manufacturing facilities in 8 countries, sales and service organizations in 19 countries and an international network of dealers. The international management is headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany.

For a high resolution image please contact College Hill

Contact College Hill Lynne Trowbridge, Katie Odgaard E: genetix@collegehill.com T: +44 (0)20 7866 7858

Company Name: College Hill Ltd, Company Number: 1036926 Registered Address: The Registry, Royal Mint Court, London EC3N 4QN UK

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