Molecular Devices Announces the Release of the First Live Cell Kinetic Neurotransmitter Transporter Uptake Assay Kit
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 research,
today announced a breakthrough with the launch of a live cell
Neurotransmitter Transporter Uptake Assay Kit. With the
introduction of this novel assay, researchers will now have a
single tool to screen for live cell kinetic uptake of the three key
neurotransmitters - dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin - in a
homogeneous, fluorescence-based, high-throughput screening
procedure that eliminates the use of radioactive tags or labels.
Molecular Devices' Neurotransmitter Transporter Uptake Assay Kit
significantly improves upon current procedures that use
radiolabeled neurotransmitter or transporter inhibitors, both of
which require specialized instrumentation, detect only the assay
endpoints, and are encumbered by the disposal of radioactive
materials. This assay can be used in both kinetic and endpoint
modes and is a simple, mix-and-read protocol performed in 96- or
384-well formatted microplates - ideal for use in research,
including applications in high-throughput screening and lead
optimization. "Neurotransmitter transporters have become important
pharmaceutical targets, as they play a key role in depression and
neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
diseases. The ability to monitor live cell uptake of dopamine,
norepinephrine and serotonin neurotransmitters is critical to
better understanding these diseases," said Andy Boorn, President of
MDS Analytical Technologies. "With this assay, researchers now have
kinetic and end-point capability that will reduce their reliance
upon radioactive labels." This new assay, like all Molecular
Devices' cell-based assays, utilizes a masking dye to extinguish
extracellular fluorescence. This masking dye technology has been
exclusively licensed by Molecular Devices from Bayer AG (patent
nos. US 6,420,183, US 7,063,952, US 7,138,280 and EP 0906572). The
assay kit also includes a novel proprietary fluorescent dye that
mimics the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and
serotonin. 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: Susan Williams-Clark, Director of Reagents
Marketing, (408) 548-6013, ; Investors: Sharon Mathers, Senior
Vice-President, Investor Relations and External Communications, MDS
Inc., (416) 675-6777 x 34721,
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