Applied Biosystems Debuts Industry's First Acoustic Flow Cytometer
CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Applied Biosystems, part of Life Technologies Corporation today announced its entry into the flow cytometry instrumentation market with the debut of the Attune™ Acoustic Focusing Cytometer, a first of its kind cytometry system designed to use sound waves to precisely control the movement of cells. The company has built upon its expertise in instrumentation, as well as its position as a long-time leading provider of flow cytometry reagents, to create a technology that will offer customers enhanced sample throughput, sensitivity and accuracy for a range of cell biology applications.
Flow cytometry allows scientists to count and examine cells by passing them through a laser-based detection device. Thousands of cells per second may be counted, allowing rapid characterization of entire populations of cells. Cellular biologists engage in flow cytometry for a rapidly growing range of applications, including the study of proteins expressed by cells (immunophenotyping), quantifying the amount of DNA in cells, cell counting, among others.
Attune enables scientists to gather statistical data on a large number of heterogeneous cells to study parameters within a cell population, including size, complexity, phenotype and health. Attune’s proprietary technology allows scientists to achieve enhanced sensitivity, saves time by increasing throughput, and can be used with small sample sizes. In addition, it offers these enhanced capabilities with a reduced footprint due to the compact acoustic technology and the far smaller volume of consumables required to perform an experiment. These unique capabilities will enable scientific applications not previously possible on traditional cytometry systems, ranging from sample preparation to bead-based analyses.
“The Attune technology will accelerate research workflows by reducing the time of some experiments by an order of magnitude with greatly increased sensitivity,” said Nicolas Barthelemy, President of Cell Systems at Life Technologies. “The introduction of this unique instrument is another example of how Life Technologies is using its expertise in both world-class instrumentation and cell biology to create an innovative solution for life science researchers. This instrument is ideally suited for cell signaling and rare event applications where sensitivity is critical and is a great addition to any cellular analysis laboratory.”
“In flow cytometry, acoustic focusing enables both longer transit times and higher throughput, which simultaneously permits better interrogation of every cell in a sample as well as the analysis of much larger numbers of cells,” said Mike Olszowy, Head of Flow Cytometry at Life Technologies. “The introduction of Attune brings Life Technologies one step closer to its vision of ‘Digital Biology’ whereby scientists can move beyond ensemble measurements of heterogeneous mixtures to a more precise quantitation of molecular phenotypes at the single cell level.”
About Life Technologies
Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE - News) is a global biotechnology tools company dedicated to improving the human condition. Our systems, consumables and services enable researchers to accelerate scientific exploration, driving to discoveries and developments that make life even better. Life Technologies customers do their work across the biological spectrum, working to advance personalized medicine, regenerative science, molecular diagnostics, agricultural and environmental research, and 21st century forensics. Life Technologies had sales of more than $3 billion in 2008, employs approximately 9,500 people, has a presence in more than 100 countries, and possesses a rapidly growing intellectual property estate of approximately 3,600 patents and exclusive licenses. Life Technologies was created by the combination of Invitrogen Corporation and Applied Biosystems Inc. For more information on how we are making a difference please visit our website: www.lifetechnologies.com. Follow Life Technologies on Twitter @LIFECorporation and on Facebook.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release includes forward-looking statements about our anticipated results that involve risks and uncertainties. Some of the information contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements as to industry trends and Life Technologies’ plans, objectives, expectations and strategy for its business, contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. When used, the words “believe,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “target,” “estimate,” “expect” and the like, and/or future tense or conditional constructions (“will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” etc.), or similar expressions, identify certain of these forward-looking statements. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are detailed in filings made by Life Technologies with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Life Technologies undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Contact:
Life Technologies Lauren Lum, 650-638-6916 lauren.lum@lifetech.com