Molecular Devices Introduces New Aequorin Option for Flipr Tetra(R) Screening System
16 April 2007 - 3:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
SUNNYVALE, CA, April 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Molecular
Devices, a division of MDS Analytical Technologies and a leader in
innovative solutions for drug discovery and life sciences, today
announced a new aequorin option for its FLIPR Tetra(R) fluorometric
imaging plate reader. This addition to the FLIPR Tetra system
includes the uniquely designed camera that can detect both
fluorescence and aequorin luminescence - and a new cell suspension
option. Both the camera and cell suspension option were optimized
on FLIPR Tetra to enable researchers to expand their calcium
mobilization assays to include aequorin luminescence measurements.
FLIPR Tetra with aequorin option will debut at the Society for
Biomolecular Sciences Conference & Exhibition, April 15-19,
2007 at the Palais des Congres de Montreal, Montreal, Canada in
Molecular Devices' booth #401. Unique to the FLIPR Tetra system is
a single camera to monitor aequorin luminescence and
fluorescence-based calcium and membrane potential assays.
Sensitivity can be adjusted to the appropriate assay signal window
to detect dim aequorin cell lines while maintaining the ability to
screen using traditional fluorescence methods. The new aequorin
option enables cell suspension assays, thereby minimizing cell
preparation time and reducing assay costs. The cell suspension
feature also increases throughput by simultaneously delivering
cells in up to 1536 wells using proven FLIPR(R) pipettor
technology. FLIPR Tetra optics (LEDs, emission filters, and
standard camera) and automation capabilities are available for
site-specific laboratory configuration. "With the addition of the
aequorin option for FLIPR Tetra, we can offer FLIPR(R) users the
added benefits of reduced assay costs and fewer technical
requirements associated with running aequorin applications," said
Andy Boorn, President of MDS Analytical Technologies. "We are
excited to provide the industry with another innovative screening
solution that will enable higher throughput and lower-cost options
for drug discovery." The FLIPR Tetra system was introduced in June
2004, and was the first system to enable researchers to
significantly increase throughput of cell-based assays by measuring
1536 kinetic measurements simultaneously, thus significantly
reducing screening time and reagent consumption. This system also
offers traditional 96- and 384-well fluidics, easily convertible by
the user within minutes, providing a seamless transition between
higher-volume assays to those that require sub-microliter volume
additions. About MDS Inc. MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE: MDZ) is a
global life sciences company that provides market-leading products
and services that our customers need for the development of drugs
and diagnosis and treatment of disease. We are a leading global
provider of pharmaceutical contract research, medical isotopes for
molecular imaging, radiotherapeutics, and analytical instruments.
MDS has more than 6,200 highly skilled people in 28 countries. Find
out more at http://www.mdsinc.com/ or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24
hours a day. About MDS Analytical Technologies MDS Analytical
Technologies is a newly established MDS Inc. business unit and is a
world-class organization comprised of two main lines of business.
The Sciex product portfolio offers proven market leadership in mass
spectrometry through its joint ventures with two of the world's
leading analytical instrumentation and life sciences companies,
Applied Biosystems, a business of the Applera Corporation and
PerkinElmer Inc. The Molecular Devices product portfolio is the
gold standard in high-performance bioanalytical measurement systems
that accelerate and improve drug discovery and other life sciences
research. Find out more at http://www.moleculardevices.com/ or
http://www.mdssciex.com/ DATASOURCE: MDS Analytical Technologies
CONTACT: Media: Jennifer McKie, Director of Marketing for FLIPR
Products, (408) 747-3514, ; Investors: Sharon Mathers, Senior
Vice-President, Investor Relations and External Communications, MDS
Inc., (416) 675-6777 x 34721,
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