Molecular Devices Introduces Expanded Application Potential for Arcturus® Laser Capture Microdissection Systems
Options expand and streamline LCM applications for sensitive and specific molecular analysis
SUNNYVALE, CA, NOVEMBER 10, 2008 — Molecular Devices, a leader in innovative solutions for drug discovery and life-sciences research, today announced the release of new options to expand and streamline laser capture microdissection (LCM) applications.
The expanded offering includes new modular stage inserts for the ArcturusXT™ and Veritas™ LCM instruments, and the addition of motorized control for a number of ArcturusXT™ system components. The additions enhance the flexibility of the Arcturus® LCM instruments to perform sensitive and specific molecular analysis in such fields as stem-cell research, cancer research, proteomics and drug discovery.
"New stage inserts for the Arcturus LCM instruments eliminate sample preparation constraints for neurobiologists performing microdissection, providing more versatility and flexibility with which to execute experiments," said Andy Boorn, President of Molecular Devices. "By optimizing the efficiency of the microdissection process through motorization, and having dual laser capabilities, the ArcturusXT™ instrument provides faster, easier access to pure cell populations."
To address the growing desire of neuroscientists to perform microdissection on fixed neuronal sections, new stage inserts have been developed for the ArcturusXT™ and Veritas™ LCM systems, which accommodate larger slide formats common to neurological sample preparations. The stage inserts can be adjusted by the user to hold 25 mm, 38 mm, and 50 mm slides. The two available slide positions may be configured to allow the use of multiple slide sizes during one microdissection session, providing improved experimental flexibility.
For researchers performing applications such as live cell microdissection, which take advantage of the ArcturusXT™ system's Epi-fluorescence, phase contrast or differential interference contrast illumination, workflow is now accelerated by motorization of these features on the ArcturusXT™ instrument. This enhanced motorization augments the automation of the instrument and allows researchers to rapidly switch between brightfield and alternate illumination methods with a single software command. The improved speed and flexibility provided by the new motorized features expand the possibilities within any microdissection experiment, making the entire process faster and simpler for any user.
The ArcturusXT™ system will be presented at the American Society for Human Genetics Annual Meeting 2008, November 11-14 in Philadelphia (Molecular Devices' booth #931), as well as at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, November 15 — 19 in Washington (Molecular Devices' booth #1701).
About Arcturus® LCM Instruments
The Arcturus® LCM instruments employ Molecular Devices' exclusive infrared (IR) laser-based capture technology which has been designed to maintain biomolecule integrity within the microdissected samples for use in downstream analyses. Whether researchers are using LCM alone or in combination with the ultraviolet laser cutting option, the gentle non-damaging IR capture technology allows the custody of the microdissected sample to be maintained throughout the process. This gives researchers confidence and assurance that their desired material has been collected. Enrichment of specific populations of cells through this process enables researchers to perform sensitive and specific molecular analyses, otherwise not possible without the use of LCM.
About Molecular Devices
Molecular Devices, a business unit of MDS Inc., is focused on the research, design, manufacture and marketing of state-of-the-art tools for mass-spectrometry, drug discovery and bioresearch. MDS AT products are designed to help accelerate the complex process of discovering and developing new drug compounds, and are sold to research scientists around the world. The mass-spectrometer product lines are also sold globally through joint ventures with two of the world's leading analytical instrumentation and life sciences companies, Applied Biosystems, Inc. and PerkinElmer, Inc. Find out more at www.mdssciex.com or www.moleculardevices.com.
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 5,500 highly skilled people in 29 countries. Find out more at www.mdsinc.com or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day.
For further information contact:
Media:
Cheri Salazar
Director, Marketing Communications
Molecular Devices, now part of Molecular Devices
(408) 548-6316
cheri.salazar@moldev.com
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